title: Systematic reviews and meta-analysis: studies of studies.
abstract: Systematic reviews are designed to answer a focused clinical question. They employ a predetermined explicit methodology to comprehensively search for, select, appraise, and analyze studies. Meta-analysis is the statistical pooling of the results of studies that are part of a systematic review. Systematic reviews are research studies and, like other studies, they need to be based on a structured and valid methodology and take measures to minimize bias. High-quality systematic reviews can be powerful tools to support clinical decision-making, as well as summarize current knowledge in relation to an area of research interest. This article describes the methodology that should be used when doing a systematic review, presents guidelines for reporting the review, and provides a guideline for critically appraising published reviews.
authors.affiliation: University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261, USA. sje1@pitt.edu
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Engberg
mesh_terms: D015982:Bias; D003625:Data Collection; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D016206:Databases, Bibliographic; D020000:Decision Support Systems, Clinical; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006801:Humans; D016239:MEDLINE; D015201:Meta-Analysis as Topic; D012107:Research Design / Q000592:standards; D012196:Review Literature as Topic