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

Abstract

Systematic reviews play a crucial role in evidence-based
research, providing a platform for evaluating and
synthesizing existing literature. They are especially
valuable in addressing complex questions and
identifying patterns across multiple studies, thereby
aiding in the identification of knowledge gaps and
prioritization of future research. This review aims to
provide a guide for researchers, students, and others
interested in conducting systematic reviews by outlining
the key components, including formulating a research
question, searching for relevant literature, appraising
evidence quality, and reporting findings. By following
these guidelines, systematic reviews can be
transparent, reproducible, and credible. The significance
of systematic reviews has increased in various fields,
such as education, psychology, and medicine, due to
the exponential growth in published studies. This guide
emphasizes the importance of a rigorous and structured
approach to conducting high-quality systematic reviews
that contribute to the current understanding of complex
issues, inform clinical practice and policy, and
ultimately impact medical practices and policies.