4. Steps for a Systematic Review

Question 1

Step 1:

Answer 1

Framing questions for a review

• Clear, unambiguous and structured questions before beginning the review work
• Modifications can only be made if there is alternative ways of defining become apparent

Question 2

Step 2:

Answer 2

Identifying the relevant work

• Search for studies should be extensive
• Multiple resources (both online and on paper), searched without language restrictions
• Study selection on criteria that is specified a priori
• Reasons for inclusion and exclusion should be recorded.

Question 3

Step 3:

Answer 3

Assessing the quality

• Relevant to every step; question formulation, study selection criteria, describe minimum acceptable level of design.
• Selected studies, a more refine assessment of quality. General critical appraisal guides and design-based quality checklists
  Heterogeneity and sustainability

Question 4

Step 4:

Answer 4

Summarizing the evidence

• Data synthesis; tabulation of study characteristics, quality and effects as well as use of statistical methods (for meta-analysis)
• If overall meta-analysis can’t be done then sub-category meta-analysis

Question 5

Step 5:

Answer 5

Interpreting the findings

• Risk of publication bias and other biases
• Exploration of heterogeneity; can overall summary be trusted?
• Should we generate inferences from the observed effects in the high-quality studies.