Systematic reviews from astronomy to zoology: myths and misconceptions

摘要: Systematic literature reviews are widely used as an aid to evidence based decision making. For example, of randomised controlled trials regularly answer questions about the effectiveness healthcare interventions. The high profile systematic a cornerstone medicine, however, has led several misconceptions their purpose and methods. Among these is belief that applicable only they incapable dealing with other forms evidence, such from non-randomised studies or qualitative research. The review method locating, appraising, synthesising evidence. value updated in assessment interventions was dramatically illustrated by Antman colleagues, who showed articles failed mention advances treatment identified review.1 It nearly quarter century since Gene Glass coined term “meta-analysis” refer quantitative synthesis results primary studies.2 importance making explicit efforts limit bias literature, been emphasised social scientists at least 1960s.3 In recent years have found important role health services research, growing interest approaches makes it likely use will increase. Not everybody accepts necessary desirable, one moves further away clinical applications cynicism utility grows. Several arguments commonly reject wider for reviews, often on major history, purpose, methods, uses reviews. I examined eight common myths …