Developing a Systematic Review Fiona Morgan

STEP 1 Develop a protocol

Focused question PICO/PECO Population/Problem Intervention or Exposure Comparator/Control Outcome(s)

And… Study design Languages Publication status Years

STEP 2 Search the Literature

Search the Literature Search a range of relevant databases –Medline, Embase, Cochrane, Cinahl, Web of Knowledge, ASSIA, PsycINFO, Childdata, Ageline, Social Care Online, Scopus Report search terms used –Indexed terms and keywords Sufficient range of years

Search the literature Snowballing Key journals –Hand/e-TOCs searching Unpublished research –Experts/Manufacturers/Trial registers Non-journal literature –Websites Reference lists

STEP 3 Select studies for Inclusion

STEP 4 Quality assessment/ Risk of bias

Included studies A priori inclusion criteria –Identified in protocol Selection –Title and abstract –Full text Independently in duplicate –Reduction of error and bias Checklist/form

Quality Assessment Identify best available evidence Detect risk of bias Completed independently in duplicate –Reduces error and bias Tools –Critical appraisal checklists –Cochrane risk of bias

STEP 5 Data extraction

Develop and test form Clear process Confirmed understanding Process: Independently in duplicate –Reduces error and bias

STEP 6 Meta- analysis or narrative synthesis

Meta-analysis? Needs statistician input –Specify proposed methods in protocol Heterogeneity –How significant? Narrative synthesis

Step 7 Present findings

Balanced and impartial summary Interpret the results Contextualise Identify limitations And… disseminate findings

Useful Resources

Available via Cardiff University resources as an e-Book

Available online