What is a systematic review?

A systematic review is a rigorous and comprehensive synthesis of research that directly addresses a specific question or hypothesis. It involves a structured methodology to identify, evaluate, and integrate findings from multiple studies, ensuring that the review process is objective and reproducible. The goal of a systematic review is to provide a clear and unbiased summary of the available evidence on a topic, which can inform clinical practice, policymaking, and further research.

This approach systematically searches for relevant studies, applies inclusion and exclusion criteria, and assesses the quality of the studies considered. By synthesizing diverse data from various sources, a systematic review contributes to a more reliable understanding of a given issue, making it a valuable resource for healthcare professionals.

In contrast, options that describe informal or anecdotal approaches lack the structured methodology and rigor characteristic of a systematic review. A systematic review is fundamentally different from casual overviews or studies focusing on limited types of data, as it requires a comprehensive examination of the available evidence across a broader spectrum of research findings.