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We highly recommend that you reach out to the library before you start a systematic review or meta-analysis! The librarians from our Systematic Review Service can guide you toward the appropriate methodologies and guidelines for your research question.
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What is a systematic review?
A systematic review seeks to systematically search for, appraise and synthesis research evidence, often adhering to guidelines on the conduct of a review.
- In this research process, we aim for an exhaustive, comprehensive search of the literature.
- The synthesis of evidence is typically narrative with tabular accompaniment.
- The analysis aims to determine what is known; recommendations for practice, what remains unknown; uncertainty around findings, and/or recommendations for future research.
Grant MJ, Booth A. A typology of reviews: an analysis of 14 review types and associated methodologies. Health Info Libr J. 2009 Jun;26(2):91-108. doi: 10.1111/j.1471-1842.2009.00848.x. Review. PubMed PMID: 19490148.
What is a meta-analysis?
A meta-analysis is a technique that statistically combines the results of quantitative studies to provide a more precise effect of the results.
- Aims for exhaustive searching. May use funnel plot to assess completeness.
- The synthesis of evidence is typically graphical and tabular with narrative commentary.
- The analysis consists of numerical analysis of measures of effect assuming absence of heterogeneity
Grant MJ, Booth A. A typology of reviews: an analysis of 14 review types and associated methodologies. Health Info Libr J. 2009 Jun;26(2):91-108. doi: 10.1111/j.1471-1842.2009.00848.x. Review. PubMed PMID: 19490148.