What is a Systematic Review?
A systematic review is a summary of the medical literature that uses explicit methods to perform a comprehensive literature search and critical appraisal of individual studies and that uses appropriate statistical techniques to combine these valid studies. (CEBM).
Key characteristics of a systematic review are:
- a clearly stated set of objectives with pre-defined eligibility criteria for studies
- an explicit, reproducible methodology
- a systematic search that attempts to identify all studies that would meet the eligibility criteria
- an assessment of the validity of the findings of the included studies, for example through the assessment of risk of bias
- a systematic presentation, and synthesis, of the characteristics and findings of the included studies. (Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions, 2008, p. 6)
Meta analysis is a systematic review that uses quantitative methods to synthesize and summarize the results.
Similiarities and Differences Between Systematic and Literature Reviews
Reproduced from: Bettany-Saltikov, J. (2010). Learning how to undertake a systematic review: Part 1. Nursing Standard, 24(40): 47-55.
| Systematic Review | Literature Review | |
| Question | Focused on a single question | Not necessarily focused on a single question, but may describe an overview |
| Protocol | A peer review protocol or plan is included | No protocol is included |
| Background | Both provide summaries of the available literature on a topic | |
| Objectives | Clear objectives are identified | Objectives may or may not be identified |
| Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria | Criteria stated before the review is conducted | Criteria not specified |
| Search Strategy | Comprehensive search conducted in a systematic way | Strategy not explicitly stated |
| Process of Selecting Articles | Usually clear and explicit | Not described in a literature review |
| Process of Evaluating Articles | Comprehensive evaluation of study quality | Evaluation of study quality may or may not be included |
| Process of Extracting Relevant Information | Usually clear and specific | Not clear or explicit |
| Results and Data Synthesis | Clear summaries of studies based on high quality evidence | Summary based on studies where the quality of the articles may not be specified. May also be influenced by the reviewer's theories, needs and beliefs |
| Discussion | Written by an expert or group of experts with a detailed and well grounded knowledge of the issues | |
How to Books
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Debbie Booth - Faculty Librarian, Health
Room L338, Auchmuty Library
Phone: 02 492 15844
Email: debbie.booth@newcastle.edu.au
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Guidelines
The Library also holds copies in print of the 2009 edition.
The Library also holds copies in print.
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