Literature Review

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Questions and Answers

What is the main purpose of applying Boolean logic in the search strategy?

To ensure all possible studies are reviewed

To eliminate duplicates from the results

To increase the number of records returned

To enhance the relevance of the search results (correct)

What should an independent reviewer do during the review process?

Conduct data extraction independently

Cross-check selected articles for accuracy (correct)

Mark all articles as relevant

Sift through articles at a slower pace

Which of the following is NOT a typical criterion for excluding studies from a systematic review?

Lack of relevant data

Participants not meeting eligibility criteria

Publication year exceeds the last ten years (correct)

Inconsistent research methods

What type of critical appraisal tool would be used for randomized controlled trials?

Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool Signup and view all the answers

What is a crucial step in the data extraction process during a systematic review?

Synthesizing relevant information into tables Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of the papers is critically evaluated during the quality appraisal process?

The trustworthiness and relevance of the findings Signup and view all the answers

In which scenario might a review team choose not to use a critical appraisal tool?

If the field is in its infancy and lacks established criteria Signup and view all the answers

What should be included in the synthesis tables during data extraction?

Varied information depending on the research question Signup and view all the answers

What is one primary purpose of conducting a systematic review?

To synthesize randomized controlled trial evidence Signup and view all the answers

What does the PRISMA guideline specify about systematic reviews?

How systematic reviews should be reported Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a significant limitation of systematic reviews?

Publication bias leading to unreported negative findings Signup and view all the answers

When combining data from multiple studies in a systematic review, what is the purpose of a meta-analysis?

To statistically pool results and enhance analysis power Signup and view all the answers

What should the methods section of a systematic review include?

Inclusion and exclusion criteria for papers Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential problem with the search strategies employed in systematic reviews?

Positive findings are more likely to be reported in English Signup and view all the answers

What can be a reason for varying quality among studies included in a systematic review?

Studies may differ greatly in cultural and experimental conditions Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to assess data for quality rating in systematic reviews?

It helps avoid reliance on low-quality findings Signup and view all the answers

What is commonly included in the scope of a systematic review's search?

The time frame and types of paper relevant to the topic Signup and view all the answers

What is gray literature, in the context of systematic reviews?

Unpublished findings from non-commercial sources Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of defining inclusion and exclusion criteria in a systematic review?

To ensure a clear focus on specific participants and outcomes Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a key component of the PICOS framework?

Inclusion Signup and view all the answers

What does PRISMA provide in the context of systematic reviews?

Internationally recognized standards for systematic reviews Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of conducting a scoping review?

To map the existing literature in a specific area Signup and view all the answers

Which searching strategy is typically used to broaden search results?

Using the OR operator Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to include grey literature in a systematic review?

It often encompasses valuable data not found in peer-reviewed journals Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following databases is considered a key source for systematic reviews in healthcare?

Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant consideration when designing a search strategy for a systematic review?

Being over-inclusive rather than under-inclusive Signup and view all the answers

What should be done after screening titles and abstracts in the systematic review process?

Screen full papers for potentially relevant studies Signup and view all the answers

In the context of data extraction for a review, what is essential to specify?

What data will be extracted from the studies Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect of search terms is important when conducting database searches?

Utilizing inverted commas for phrase searching Signup and view all the answers

What is one challenge associated with subject terms in database searching?

They can differ significantly among different databases Signup and view all the answers

What should be done to ensure quality in a systematic review’s screening process?

Involve multiple raters for independent ratings Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of registering a protocol in PROSPERO?

To outline the planned review methodology in advance Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Core Principles of Mental Health Research - Literature Reviews

Literature reviews make evidence accessible and assess what is known and unknown on a topic.
Systematic reviews comprehensively and reproducibly search for all relevant evidence.
They are a way to synthesize evidence, including randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and other types of data.
Systematic reviews include a detailed methods section, allowing for replication.
Key components of a review include the scope of the search (databases, years, languages, types of papers), search terms, inclusion/exclusion criteria, data extraction methods, and quality assessment tools (e.g., PRISMA guidelines).
Meta-analysis statistically combines results of similar studies, increasing statistical power and significance.
Systematic reviews and meta-analyses avoid subjectivity and help avoid missing significant evidence.
Pooling data in meta-analyses improves clarity of the overall findings.
Strong meta-analyses provide strong support for treatments.
Systematic reviews have limitations, including publication bias (negative findings often not published).

Limitations

Key stakeholders may have a vested interest in not publishing.
50% of trials are unpublished
Data manipulation and publication of incorrect data are a risk.
Trials included in reviews may vary in time, culture, and type of intervention (e.g., Cochrane reviews of crisis intervention).
Publication dates can range from 1964 to 2010.
Experimental conditions may range widely.
Negative conclusions in reviews can result from small overall numbers or poor quality studies

Steps in designing systematic reviews

Define a precise review question.
Consider PRISMA guidelines and speak with a librarian or information technologist.
Define inclusion/exclusion criteria (PICOS), considering the population, intervention, comparator, outcomes, and study design.
Specify databases and search terms, as well as language and date ranges.
Design search strategies using databases, grey literature, research registries, and search reference lists to contact authors.
Decide on a process for screening papers (titles and abstracts, then full papers) which should use multiple raters.
Specify what data should be extracted.
Decide how to store and process data
Decide if meta-analysis is possible; provide alternative summary method if it is not.
Submit the review protocol to a register such as PROSPERO

Key sources and types of reviews

Centre for Reviews and Dissemination (York): Prospero
Cochrane database of systematic reviews
Campbell collaboration
Scoping review: maps the current literature of a specific area.
Qualitative reviews: synthesize qualitative literature (e.g., patients’ experiences).
Umbrella review: comprehensively reviews a large body of literature (e.g., preventative interventions).

Defining search terms & database use

Identify concepts in the research question.
Identify key terms for each concept.
Use inverted commas (or quotation marks) to search for whole phrases only.
Use truncation to find variant spellings (e.g., usin* could find using, uses, user).
Use Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT) to combine terms.
Understand that many databases use standardised subject headings (controlled vocabulary) that indexers assign (e.g., Self-harm, deliberate self-harm, self-injurious behavior).
Some databases have difficulty indexing newer or unusual terminology.

Search limits and strategies

Use limits to refine searches (e.g., publication dates, language).
Define a clear rationale for search limits.
Use databases (e.g. Medline, Pubmed).
Utilise multiple databases to ensure a comprehensive search.
Use Boolean logic (AND) to combine terms, and Boolean logic (OR) to broaden the search.

Data extraction, information extraction, and appraisal

Extract relevant information from retrieved papers into tables.
Information extracted will depend on the specific research question (e.g., study characteristics, eligibility, quality assessment).
Verify study eligibility and consider study characteristics.

Critical appraisal

Review methods.
Participants.
Interventions.
Outcome measures.
Results from studies to assess quality and trustworthiness.
Identify potential threats to validity.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the key components of systematic reviews. This quiz covers essential concepts such as Boolean logic in search strategies, critical appraisal tools, and data extraction processes. Perfect for students and professionals in research fields.