Reviewing the literature: adopting a systematic approach

Abstract

This paper outlines the crucial steps for consideration and acts as a guide for practitioners conducting reviews in family planning and reproductive health. These criteria may be considered specific to reviews of therapeutic interventions adopting a randomised controlled trial (RCT) design. However this standard approach can be adopted and modified for reviews addressing different questions and/or study designs e.g. evaluation of observational studies diagnostic and screening tests or prognostic variables. Additionally the criteria outlined in this paper should enable Journal readers to develop a critical approach to reading published systematic reviews. (excerpt)