Conducting Systematic Reviews  

A systematic review attempts to collate all empirical evidence that fits pre-specified eligibility criteria in order to answer a specific research question.  The key characteristics of a systematic review are:

• a clearly defined question with pre-defined eligibility criteria for studies;

• an explicit, reproducible methodology;

• a systematic search that attempts to identify all studies (published and unpublished)  that address the question and meet the eligibility criteria;

• an appraisal of the validity of the included studies; and

• a systematic presentation, and synthesis, of the characteristics and findings of the included studies.

  
  

Standards for Initiating a Systematic Review from the Institute of Medicine for summary of the process.