Research Synthesis

Why conduct systematic reviews?

The primary literature base available today is enormous, making it is difficult for clinicians and policy makers to read every piece of primary research on a particular topic. Different pieces of research can also offer different conclusions, which further complicates understanding the literature.

Systematic reviews are the next step in building the evidence base after primary research. A systematic review synthesises all of the available research on a particular question. If the research base is quantitative, a meta-analysis can also be conducted. A meta-analysis allows treatment effects from different studies to be combined, to determine whether a treatment truly has an advantageous effect.

Our Involvement in Systematic Reviews

We are currently conducting and collaborating on systematic reviews on the following topics:

• Cancer research
• Cardiovascular research
• Gastrointestinal research
• Haematology
• Orthopaedic and musculoskeletal research
• Methodological conduct and reporting of medical studies
• Perioperative care