Page 535 - Encyclopedia of Nursing Research

502 n SySTemATIC ReVIeW

of 300 studies found that not all systematic provide peer review of systematic review
reviews were equally reliable and that their protocols against particular guidelines,
S reporting could be improved by a universally which further increases scientific rigor.
agreed upon set of standards and guidelines In summary, a systematic review is a
(moher, Tetzlaff, Tricco, Sampson, & Altman, research method conducted by at least two
2007). Consequently, several international people, working independently and then
initiatives have evolved to help prepare, to combining their independent results. The
maintain, and to disseminate the results review is guided by a question, with spe-
of systematic reviews of health-related cific aims and objectives, and conducted in
interventions. notably are the Cochrane accordance with a predefined strategy, with
Collaboration (www.cochrane.org), which an overall intent to identify and recommend
reviews randomized trials of the effects best practice. In particular, researchers per-
of treatment; the Campbell Collaboration forming a systematic review must make
(www.campbellcollaboration.org), which every effort to identify and report research
focuses on reviews that address issues of that both supports and does not support
policy making, specifically related to crime, their preferred research position. It is this
justice, social welfare, and education; and the unbiased approach that makes a review
Joanna Briggs Institute for evidence Based systematic.
nursing and midwifery (www.joannabriggs. Investigation into the science of system-
edu.au), which focuses on reviews that sup- atic review is among the necessary future
port the translation, transfer, and utilization initiatives for this research method. In addi-
of feasible, appropriate, meaningful, and tion, it is not unusual now to find more than
effective healthcare practice. In addition, the one systematic review addressing the same
evidence for policy and practice Information or similar questions paving the way for
Center at the University of london (http:// meta-summary or meta-study, a systematic
eppi.ioe.ac.uk/cms) has been influential in review of systematic reviews, which further
developing methods for combining both supports the growing need for investigation
qualitative and quantitative research in sys- into the science of systematic review.
tematic reviews for social science, public
policy, and health promotion. These groups Cheryl Holly