Systematic Review Methods: Selecting Studies, Abstracting Data, Appraising Quality

Few studies examining methods for selecting studies, abstracting data, and appraising quality in a systematic review

Robson RC, Pham B, Hwee J, et al. Few studies examining methods for selecting studies, abstracting data, and appraising quality in a systematic review. J Clin Epidemiol. 2019 Feb;106:102-135. doi: 10.1016/j.jclinepi.2018.10.003.

Impact for Knowledge Users
Bottom Line
Protocol
Findings

Few studies exist documenting common systematic review practices. Included studies support several systematic review practices. These results provide an updated evidence-base for current knowledge synthesis guidelines, and methods requiring further research

The limited available evidence on review methods supports current practices but also highlights a need for guidelines to be updated, particularly with respect to streamlining and increasing the efficiency of the review process