Research synthesis: systematic reviews and meta-analysis

1998 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 304-311 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanna Moncrieff
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Reviews ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Research Synthesis

Research synthesis: systematic reviews and meta-analysis

2003 ◽  
pp. 203-218
Author(s):  
Joanna Moncrieff
Keyword(s):  
Medical Research ◽  
Systematic Reviews ◽  
Intervention Studies ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Research Synthesis ◽  
Potential Contribution ◽  
Statistical Process ◽  
Fresh Perspective ◽  
Objective View

The process of synthesizing data from different studies is known as metaanalysis. The techniques were developed in the social sciences and only recently applied to medical research. There has been intense debate about the validity of the process and its potential contribution to research. In medicine the widest application of research synthesis techniques has been with intervention studies. In particular the Cochrane Collaboration1 has promoted the use of systematic reviews and meta-analysis to evaluate medical treatments. Recently there has been increasing attention paid to meta-analysis with other types of study (Altman 2001). This overview will focus on intervention studies, and, after describing the uses and limitations of research synthesis and the particular issues arising for psychiatric researchers, will illustrate the stages in conducting a systematic review or meta-analysis. Definitions For the purposes of this chapter systematic reviews will be taken as referring to reviews which aim to achieve comprehensive coverage of the relevant literature and meta-analysis refers to the statistical process of combining quantitative data from different studies. The need for research synthesis (1) The exponential increase in medical research over recent decades makes it impossible for doctors to have a comprehensive knowledge of research in every area relevant to their practice. (2) By virtue of bringing a fresh perspective to an area, systematic reviews may be able to reach a more objective view of the evidence. (3) Health economists and policy makers need an overview of research and a reliable estimate of efficacy to facilitate the process of resource allocation. (4) Collation of research in different settings is valuable in order to obtain a picture of the range of action of a particular intervention. (5) Many studies are not large enough to detect small effects that may be clinically useful. Combining data enhances the power of the analysis to detect such effects. (6) Systematic collation of evidence indicates which areas require more research.

Informing Healthy Transport Policies

2005 ◽  
Vol 1908 (1) ◽  
pp. 214-220
Author(s):  
Matt Egan ◽  
Mark Petticrew ◽  
David Ogilvie
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Reviews ◽  
Important Determinant ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Complex Interventions ◽  
Research Synthesis ◽  
Health Impact ◽  
Modal Shift ◽  
Analysis Techniques ◽  
Literature Reviews ◽  
Inform Decision Making

Transport is an important determinant of health, and the health impact of transport interventions requires robust evaluation. Systematic reviews provide a rigorous tool for locating, appraising, and synthesizing evaluative evidence. Some systematic reviews use meta-analysis techniques to synthesize data, but other systematic reviews do not. This paper addresses some methodological and practical issues associated with conducting systematic reviews on the health impact of transport interventions. By using as case studies recently conducted reviews on topics such as the health impact of new roads and the effectiveness of interventions in promoting modal shift, the paper outlines many of the challenges faced by systematic reviewers in this field. It then describes some research synthesis techniques available to systematic reviewers and discusses some of the strengths and weaknesses of these techniques. Systematic literature reviews on the health impact of specific transport interventions can be used to inform decision making. However, reviews of such complex interventions require an innovative approach to the methodologies of systematic reviews and research synthesis.

Systematic Reviews

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia H. Littell
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Systematic Reviews ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Review Process ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Research Synthesis ◽  
Helping Professions ◽  
Statistical Procedures ◽  
Quantitative Studies ◽  
Systematic Review Process

Systematic reviews summarize a body of empirical evidence to address important questions for practice and social policy. Widely used to compile evidence about intervention effects in the helping professions, systematic reviews can also be used to assess rates, trends, associations, and variations on many topics. Credible reviews are based on the science of research synthesis, which provides the theoretical and empirical foundations that undergird efforts to minimize bias and error at each step in the review process to ensure that systematic reviews are comprehensive and their conclusions are accurate. Methods for the synthesis of quantitative studies are well developed. Meta-analysis, a set of statistical procedures, is often used in quantitative reviews, but meta-analysis is only one part of the systematic review process; other steps are needed to limit bias and error. Methods for systematic reviews of qualitative research are under development, as are strategies to combine quantitative and qualitative data in reviews.

Hotspots in Psychology – 2020 Edition

2020 ◽  
Vol 228 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-2
Author(s):  
Michael Bošnjak ◽  
Nadine Wedderhoff
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Reviews ◽  
Research Synthesis ◽  
Synthesis Methods ◽  
Common Denominator ◽  
The Common ◽  
Meta Analyses

Abstract. This editorial gives a brief introduction to the six articles included in the fourth “Hotspots in Psychology” of the Zeitschrift für Psychologie. The format is devoted to systematic reviews and meta-analyses in research-active fields that have generated a considerable number of primary studies. The common denominator is the research synthesis nature of the included articles, and not a specific psychological topic or theme that all articles have to address. Moreover, methodological advances in research synthesis methods relevant for any subfield of psychology are being addressed. Comprehensive supplemental material to the articles can be found in PsychArchives ( https://www.psycharchives.org ).

Current Therapy of Diabetic Macular Edema Bevacizumab, Triamcinolone Acetonide, and Laser Photocoagulation

2019 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
pp. 13
Author(s):  
Gladys Kusumowidagdo ◽  
Randy Sarayar ◽  
Kartika Rahayu ◽  
Gitalisa Andayani
Keyword(s):  
Macular Edema ◽  
Triamcinolone Acetonide ◽  
Diabetic Macular Edema ◽  
Systematic Reviews ◽  
Laser Photocoagulation ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Intravitreal Bevacizumab ◽  
Current Therapy ◽  
Intravitreal Triamcinolone ◽  
Mesh Terms

Background: Diabetic macular edema (DME) is the main cause of visual impairment in diabetic retinopathy (DR). Current gold standard therapy of DME is macular laser photocoagulation (MPC). Growing evidences have shown benefits of intravitreal anti-VEGF agents (i.e bevacizumab) and intravitreal corticosteroids (i.e triamcinolone acetonide). Aim: To compare the visual acuity (VA) improvement of patients with DME, treated with intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB), a combination of IVB and intravitreal triamcinolone (IVB/IVT), and MPC. Method: A comprehensive PubMed® and Cochrane® databases search was conducted on May 4th, 2017 using appropriate keywords (diabetic macular edema, bevacizumab, triamcinolone, and laser photocoagulation using their MeSH terms). Studies were filtered using inclusion criterions (clinical trials, RCT, meta-analysis, systematic review, English, humans, and publication within 10 years) Results: Three studies (2 systematic reviews and 1 RCT) were found suitable. From these results, all studies showed favoring effects of IVB when compared to IVB/IVT combination and MPC in short term period (up to 6 months). However, there was no significant improvement of VA beyond this period in all groups. Conclusion: IVB appears to be superior to IVB/IVT and MPC in improving VA during 6 months follow- up period. Future systematic reviews and meta-analysis are required on the effect of IVB and MPC combination in cases of DME.

Cinammon (Cinnamomum Spp.) and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 247-255
Author(s):  
Sierra-Puente D. ◽  
Abadi-Alfie S. ◽  
Arakanchi-Altaled K. ◽  
Bogard-Brondo M. ◽  
García-Lascurain M. ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Type 2 Diabetes ◽  
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Systematic Reviews ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Fasting Blood Glucose ◽  
Tolerance Test ◽  
Oral Glucose ◽  
Key Aspects

Spices such as cinnamon (Cinnamomum Spp.) have been of interest due to their phytochemical composition that exert hypoglycemic effects with potential for management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). We summarize data from 27 manuscripts that include, one book chapter, 3 review articles, 10 randomized controlled trials, 4 systematic reviews with meta-analysis, and 9 preclinical studies. The most frequently used cinnamon variety was Cinnamomum cassia rather than the Cinnamomum zeylanicum, whereas outcomes were defined as fasting blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin, and oral glucose tolerance test. A great variability in methodology such as different doses (from 120 mg to 6 g), duration of intervention, data retrieved and use of different concomitant medication, were found to be key aspects of most of trials and systematic reviews with meta-analysis available to date. Low quality studies have been made in most cases with a lot of heterogeneity clouding significance of results. More research needs to be done in order to yield accurate evidence for evidence-based recommendations. Its use is not currently a reliable nor advisable option for the treatment of T2DM.

scholarly journals Application of the Subspace-Based Methods in Health Monitoring of Civil Structures: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 3607
Author(s):  
Hoofar Shokravi ◽  
Hooman Shokravi ◽  
Norhisham Bakhary ◽  
Mahshid Heidarrezaei ◽  
Seyed Saeid Rahimian Koloor ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
System Identification ◽  
Systematic Reviews ◽  
Health Monitoring ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Civil Structures ◽  
Literature Reviews ◽  
Research Gap ◽  
Meta Analyses ◽  
Subspace System Identification ◽  
Insight Into

A large number of research studies in structural health monitoring (SHM) have presented, extended, and used subspace system identification. However, there is a lack of research on systematic literature reviews and surveys of studies in this field. Therefore, the current study is undertaken to systematically review the literature published on the development and application of subspace system identification methods. In this regard, major databases in SHM, including Scopus, Google Scholar, and Web of Science, have been selected and preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) has been applied to ensure complete and transparent reporting of systematic reviews. Along this line, the presented review addresses the available studies that employed subspace-based techniques in the vibration-based damage detection (VDD) of civil structures. The selected papers in this review were categorized into authors, publication year, name of journal, applied techniques, research objectives, research gap, proposed solutions and models, and findings. This study can assist practitioners and academicians for better condition assessment of structures and to gain insight into the literature.

scholarly journals Diet and physical activity in pregnancy to prevent gestational diabetes: a protocol for an individual participant data (IPD) meta-analysis on the differential effects of interventions with economic evaluation

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. e048119
Author(s):  
Dyuti Coomar ◽  
Jonathan M Hazlehurst ◽  
Frances Austin ◽  
Charlie Foster ◽  
Graham A Hitman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Cost Effectiveness ◽  
Gestational Diabetes ◽  
Systematic Reviews ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Individual Participant Data ◽  
Randomised Trials ◽  
Diet And Physical Activity ◽  
Individual Participant ◽  
In Pregnancy

IntroductionMothers with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are at increased risk of pregnancy-related complications and developing type 2 diabetes after delivery. Diet and physical activity-based interventions may prevent GDM, but variations in populations, interventions and outcomes in primary trials have limited the translation of available evidence into practice. We plan to undertake an individual participant data (IPD) meta-analysis of randomised trials to assess the differential effects and cost-effectiveness of diet and physical activity-based interventions in preventing GDM and its complications.MethodsThe International Weight Management in Pregnancy Collaborative Network database is a living repository of IPD from randomised trials on diet and physical activity in pregnancy identified through a systematic literature search. We shall update our existing search on MEDLINE, Embase, BIOSIS, LILACS, Pascal, Science Citation Index, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects and Health Technology Assessment Database without language restriction to identify relevant trials until March 2021. Primary researchers will be invited to join the Network and share their IPD. Trials including women with GDM at baseline will be excluded. We shall perform a one and two stage random-effect meta-analysis for each intervention type (all interventions, diet-based, physical activity-based and mixed approach) to obtain summary intervention effects on GDM with 95% CIs and summary treatment–covariate interactions. Heterogeneity will be summarised using I2 and tau2 statistics with 95% prediction intervals. Publication and availability bias will be assessed by examining small study effects. Study quality of included trials will be assessed by the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool, and the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations approach will be used to grade the evidence in the results. A model-based economic analysis will be carried out to assess the cost-effectiveness of interventions to prevent GDM and its complications compared with usual care.Ethics and disseminationEthics approval is not required. The study is registered on the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (CRD42020212884). Results will be submitted for publication in peer-reviewed journals.

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