Definition
A systematic review is a synthesis of the evidence on a clearly presented topic that uses a rigorous, transparent, and reproducible method to identify, select, and synthesize all available evidence to answer a specific research question.
A special instance of the systematic review called a meta-analysis involves a statistical analysis of results from multiple empirical studies contained in the review.
A systematic review contains an introduction, a body that reports methodology and results, and a conclusion that includes a discussion and conclusion.
Useful Articles
Jennifer, L., & Sophie, D. (2023). How to write a systematic review. American journal of surgery, 226(4), 553–555. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amjsurg.2023.05.015
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37263887/
(Downstate password required)
Khan, K. S., Kunz, R., Kleijnen, J., & Antes, G. (2003). Five steps to conducting a systematic review. Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, 96(3), 118–121. https://doi.org/10.1177/014107680309600304
Useful Videos
Cochrane Austria. (2020). Steps of a Systematic Review. Cochrane Austria.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2uU_pdCJSfg
Center for Evidence Synthesis in Health (2018). The Steps of a Systematic Review. Brown University.
Internet Resources
Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions - Cochrane Collaboration
Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses - Virginia Tech
PRISMA Statement - PRISMA
Steps in a Systematic Review - Duke University
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