Synthesising Evidence

Question 1

What is a systematic review?

Answer 1

“A high-level overview of primary research on a particular research question that tries to identify, select, synthesise, and appraise all high-quality research evidence relevant to that question in order to answer it”

Question 2

Is a systematic review specific or broad?

Answer 2

Specific - it needs to include a focussed research question

Question 3

Is a literature review broad or specific?

Answer 3

Broad - and descriptive

Question 4

What are the 5 steps in conducting a systematic review?

Answer 4

1. Plan your review protocol
2. Search the literature
3. Screen your search results
4. Appraise the quality of studies
5. Synthesise the evidence

Question 5

What is a meta-analysis?

Answer 5

A statistical technique for combining results of multiple studies into a single pooled estimate

Question 6

What are the two steps into calculating a meta-analysis?

Answer 6

1. Convert each study’s results into a standardised effect size
2. Calculate an overall pooled estimate of effect size