What is a systematic review?

A systematic review is a comprehensive summary of existing studies that aims to synthesize all available evidence on a particular research question or topic. It involves a structured and methodical approach to reviewing literature, including clearly defined criteria for selecting studies, a thorough evaluation of the quality of the evidence, and an objective analysis of the findings. This type of review not only aggregates results from multiple studies but also critically assesses the methodologies used in those studies, which contributes to more reliable conclusions and recommendations.

The systematic review process typically includes formulating a clear research question, a systematic search of relevant studies, selection based on inclusion/exclusion criteria, data extraction, and synthesis of results, often employing statistical methods if appropriate. This level of rigor sets systematic reviews apart from other forms of literature assessments, such as narrative reviews or opinion articles, which may lack such structure and rigor. As a result, systematic reviews are considered one of the highest forms of evidence in evidence-informed practice, enabling practitioners to make informed decisions based on the best available evidence.