Using logic models to capture complexity in systematic reviews

摘要: Logic models have long been used to understand complex programs improve social and health outcomes. They illustrate how a program is designed achieve its intended also can be describe connections between determinants of outcomes, for example, low high-school graduation rates or spiraling obesity rates, thus aiding the development interventions that target causal factors. However, these not often in systematic reviews. This paper argues logic valuable review process. First, they aid conceptualization focus hypothesized links, identify effect mediators moderators, specify intermediate outcomes potential harms, justify priori subgroup analyses when differential effects are anticipated. Second, direct process more specifically. help narrowing scope review, most relevant inclusion criteria, guide literature search, clarify interpretation results drawing policy-relevant conclusions about findings. We present examples explain applied at different stages review. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.