Systematic Review Methodology: Conducting High-Quality Reviews and Understanding Their Significance in Evidence-Based Practice

Abstract

Systematic reviews play a crucial role in evidence-basedresearch, providing a platform for evaluating andsynthesizing existing literature. They are especiallyvaluable in addressing complex questions andidentifying patterns across multiple studies, therebyaiding in the identification of knowledge gaps andprioritization of future research. This review aims toprovide a guide for researchers, students, and othersinterested in conducting systematic reviews by outliningthe key components, including formulating a researchquestion, searching for relevant literature, appraisingevidence quality, and reporting findings. By followingthese guidelines, systematic reviews can betransparent, reproducible, and credible. The significanceof systematic reviews has increased in various fields,such as education, psychology, and medicine, due tothe exponential growth in published studies. This guideemphasizes the importance of a rigorous and structuredapproach to conducting high-quality systematic reviewsthat contribute to the current understanding of complexissues, inform clinical practice and policy, andultimately impact medical practices and policies.