Evidence Synthesis
Systematic reviews and other evidence syntheses are research methods that synthesize data from multiple sources to answer research questions. They require complex, comprehensive searches of the literature to ensure all relevant prior research is captured and considered, so many teams include a librarian or other information specialist. This page provides an overview of resources for getting started with systematic reviews and other evidence synthesis projects.
Handbooks and Guidance
The Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions is the main source on systematic review methodology. It is geared towards research questions on therapeutic interventions but is applicable across question types.
The JBI Manual provides less detailed guidance than the Cochrane Handbook but contains information specific to reviews with non-intervention research questions and methodologies other than systematic reviews (e.g., umbrella and scoping reviews).
Cornell University Library's LibGuide on evidence synthesis contains a step-by-step guide to evidence synthesis projects.
Evidence Synthesis Standards
PRISMA Statement - The PRISMA Statement provides the framework for systematic review reporting, including templates for PRISMA flow diagrams and extensions for alternative evidence synthesis methods (scoping reviews, network meta-analysis, living systematic reviews) and various topics or question types (complex interventions, diagnostic test accuracy).
PROSPERO - A priori protocols and registration are best practice for evidence syntheses. PROSPERO is the main registry. (Note that it accepts only systematic review protocols. OSF is a good alternative for protocols of scoping reviews and other evidence syntheses.)
Getting Started: Courses and Tools
Free Courses
From Johns Hopkins University.
From the Open Learning Initiative.
From the Open Learning Initiative. More focused on non-health sciences disciplines.
Additional Resources
Tool to help you determine which evidence synthesis methodology is most appropriate for a team's project.
Webinar from the UK Medical Center Library on translating search strategies across databases.
Links to multiple library guides, free courses, and other open resources from the South Central Chapter of MLA.
Evidence Synthesis Tools
Searching Tools
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ISSG Search Filter Resource - links to validated and unvalidated filters for populations, study types, locations, topics, etc.
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searchRxiv - repository of full systematic reviews searches used in published evidence syntheses.
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Yale MeSH Analyzer - will analyze the MeSH terms of given PubMed citations.
Risk of Bias Assessment Tools
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riskofbias.info - links to popular RoB2 and ROBINS tools.
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NewCastle Ottawa Scale - popular tool for cohort and case-control studies.
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JBI Checklists - appraisal checklists for a wide variety of study types.
Automation Tools
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Systematic Review Automation Tools - webinar of several automation tools from the UK Medical Center Library.