Systematic reviews are a cornerstone of evidence-based research, providing comprehensive summaries of existing studies to answer specific research questions. This article offers a detailed guide to conducting high-quality systematic reviews in biology, health and social sciences. It outlines key steps, including developing and registering a protocol, designing comprehensive search strategies, and selecting studies through a screening process. The article emphasizes the importance of accurate data extraction and the use of validated tools to assess the risk of bias across different study designs. Both meta-analysis (quantitative approach) and narrative synthesis (qualitative approach) are discussed in detail. The guide also highlights the use of frameworks, such as GRADE, to assess the certainty of evidence and provides recommendations for clear and transparent reporting in line with the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. This paper aims to adapt and translate evidence-based review principles, commonly applied in clinical research, into the context of biological sciences. By highlighting domain-specific methodologies, challenges, and resources, we provide tailored guidance for researchers in ecology, molecular biology, evolutionary biology, and related fields in order to conduct transparent and reproducible evidence syntheses.
Methodological Standards for Conducting High-Quality Systematic Reviews
De Cassai A.;Boscolo Annalisa
2025
Abstract
Systematic reviews are a cornerstone of evidence-based research, providing comprehensive summaries of existing studies to answer specific research questions. This article offers a detailed guide to conducting high-quality systematic reviews in biology, health and social sciences. It outlines key steps, including developing and registering a protocol, designing comprehensive search strategies, and selecting studies through a screening process. The article emphasizes the importance of accurate data extraction and the use of validated tools to assess the risk of bias across different study designs. Both meta-analysis (quantitative approach) and narrative synthesis (qualitative approach) are discussed in detail. The guide also highlights the use of frameworks, such as GRADE, to assess the certainty of evidence and provides recommendations for clear and transparent reporting in line with the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. This paper aims to adapt and translate evidence-based review principles, commonly applied in clinical research, into the context of biological sciences. By highlighting domain-specific methodologies, challenges, and resources, we provide tailored guidance for researchers in ecology, molecular biology, evolutionary biology, and related fields in order to conduct transparent and reproducible evidence syntheses.
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