Systematic reviews, scoping reviews and other evidence syntheses

Evidence synthesis:

• also called knowledge synthesis
• uses reproducible and transparent methods to synthesize and analyze data from a large set of primary studies
• synthesized evidence is considered:
  • less biased
  • more rigorous
  • more generalizable

Why do we need synthesized evidence?

Evidence synthesis generally involves these steps:

• Stating the objectives of the research
• Defining eligibility criteria for studies to be included and excluded
• Identifying (all) potentially eligible studies
• Screening for inclusion and exclusion
• Extracting data from the final set of screened studies
• Appraising the final set of studies
• Applying statistical analysis, if applicable
• Preparing a structured report of the research

Reference: CIHR. (n.d.) A knowledge synthesis chapter: Stages of knowledge synthesis

Image: Ayala, P. (2020). Screening for studies in systematic reviews, scoping reviews, and other knowledge syntheses: Strategies for improvement. KSIG webinar, April 2020.

Brock Library workshop materials

• Select the review method best aligned with your research objective:
  • Comparison chart from University of Toronto Gerstein Science Information Centre
  • Comprehensive overview of synthesis review types: Sutton, A., Clowes, M., Preston, L., & Booth, A. (2019). Meeting the review family: exploring review types and associated information retrieval requirements. Health Information & Libraries Journal, (3), 202.
• Interactive decision-making tools:
  • Which Review is Right for You - from University of Manitoba Libraries
  • Right Review - distinguishes between qualitative and quantitative syntheses
• Flowchart from Cornell University Library:

Reference:

Centre for Research Evaluation, London School Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. (n.d.) Evidence synthesis: synthesis methods.