Laupus Library is now offering assistance with systematic reviews (SRs). Systematic reviews are a form of evidence-based practice with scientific investigations, pre-planned methods and an assembly of original studies as their “subjects.” These investigations also use strategies to limit bias and random error.
The goal of systematic review is to provide evidence-based healthcare by integrating clinical expertise with the best clinical evidence from systematic research.
“Well-conducted systematic reviews systematically identify, select, assess, and synthesize the relevant body of research, and will help make clear what is known and not known about the potential benefits and harms of alternative drugs, devices, and other healthcare services. Thus, systematic reviews of comparative effectiveness research (CER) can be essential for clinicians who strive to integrate research findings into their daily practices, for patients to make well informed choices about their own care, for professional medical societies and other organizations that develop clinical practice guidelines (CPGs), and for payers and policy makers. SRs can also inform medical coverage decisions and be used to set agendas and funding for primary research by highlighting gaps in evidence.” (IOM p. 17.)
The Institute of Medicine recommends working with a librarian or other information specialist to plan out your search strategy and to peer-review the final strategy used.
For more information about this new service please visit: http://libguides.ecu.edu/systematicreviewservice or call 252-744-2219 or 252-744-2230.
References: Institute of Medicine, Eden, J., Laura A. Levit, Alfred O. Berg, & Morton, S. C. 2011. Finding What Works in Health Care: Standards for Systematic Reviews National Academies Press.
