Systematic reviews: Overview

"A systematic review attempts to collate all empirical evidence that fits pre-specified eligibility criteria to answer a specific research question. It uses explicit, systematic methods that are selected with a view to minimizing bias, thus providing reliable findings from which conclusions can be drawn and decisions made.

The key characteristics of a systematic review are:

1. a clearly stated set of objectives with an explicit, reproducible methodology;
2. a systematic search that attempts to identify all studies that would meet the eligibliity criteria;
3. an assessment of the validity of the findings of the included studies, for example through the assessment of risk of bias; and
4. systematic presentation, and synthesis, of the characteristics and findings of the included studies."

Liberati, A., Altman, D. G., Tetzlaff, J., Mulrow, C., Gøtzsche, P. C., Ioannidis, J. P. A., . . . Moher, D. (2009). The PRISMA Statement for Reporting Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses of Studies That Evaluate Health Care Interventions: Explanation and Elaboration. Annals of Internal Medicine, 151(4), W-65. doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-151-4-200908180-00136

Helen Wilding, Senior Research Librarian

Carl de Gruchy Library, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne
Helen.Wilding@svha.org.au

Literature Searching, Systematic Reviews, Mental Health liaison 
Thursdays, Fridays & alternate Wednesdays
Helen's profile | Researchgate | Orcid