A poem by Clare Koning
In a world of research so diverse and large,
What evidence do we trust and who is in charge?
Not everything we read qualifies as the best,
How can we base our decisions if we don’t put it to the test?
Is one study as good as a synthesis of many,
I’d say no and bet my last penny.
So where do we start, well at the beginning of course,
Let’s delve deeper and go to the source.
Do Cochrane, Campbell, and JBI ring a bell?
There are others, but these three do well.
They seek to bring you the best available evidence,
Focusing on rigour, transparency, and relevance.
Their standards are high and the process arduous,
But the rewards and the end results are marvelous.
You’re not alone, there are many resources,
Some even provide training and courses.
Guides, tools, and templates help you run the gauntlet,
And as a team you figure it out without too much fret.
There are many different kinds of reviews,
About as many as kinds of shoes!
I’ll focus on those that are systematic and peer reviewed,
These were first developed by Cochrane & JBI who in 1990s debuted.
They sought to improve clinical health decision making,
And redefined the evidence hierarchy pyramid and caused a shaking.
Studies that once informed practice and influenced health policy,
Now didn’t looks as robust when synthesized – shifting reality.
Systematic reviews collect and sort the best data to answer a question,
Gathering all available evidence, appraising, and extracting – an intense session.
The result is the rigorous synthesis of an immense amount of information,
In the hope that the result is the best possible answer without the frustration.
Why use systematic reviews, well, the time-saving is key,
And the quality of evidence is as squeaky clean as my laundry.
Reviews are useful in policy making, health care, and research,
They yell quality, credibility, and reliability from the top of a perch.
So there it is; a process that’s preferred,
Time to get out there and spread the word!
From the 2016 Spring Communiqué — Knowledge Synthesis
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