Advantages of Systematic Review - Essay Example

This extends sources of the practitioners’ knowledge to available historical data through existing publications (Hoffmann, Bennett, and De Mar 2010; Akobeng, 2005). A systematic review is also important for knowledge development for new research. Its analytical approach which plays the same role as a formal literature review allows researchers to consolidate existing knowledge on a subject and to identify knowledge gaps for possible new studies.

The reviews, with this respect, contribute to new research by informing research objectives, research questions, and research hypotheses. In addition, results of systematic reviews identify theories from related research that can be used in proposed or future studies. The effects of the reviews also extend to influence research methodologies of new studies through elements such as the selection of research methods and design, sampling strategy, and data collection strategy and tools. The ability of systematic reviews to identify weaknesses of previous studies also offers a basis for corrective measures and therefore helps to resolve such problems as bias in studies (Booth, Rees, and Beecroft, 2010).

Data extraction is a process by which data is collected from their sources and is organized into the desired forms for presentation to the audience. Examples of forms in which extracted data can be communicated are tables and graphs that facilitate understanding. Data extraction is a fundamental process in systematic reviews and helps in the identification of elements of research such as a study’s methods and design, sample and population, and applied treatment and mode of application.

The process of data extraction is however largely subjective to a researcher’s interest and opinion and therefore susceptible to bias (Cochrane Handbook, 2011; Petticrew & Roberts, 2006). Data synthesis of included studies summary of studies’ findings is important to any form of analysis and is often achieved through. The study proposes a narrative approach for the synthesis of the results of identified studies. It further proposes precise and clear tables for presenting the data in order to facilitate the audience’s understanding of the nature of the data that the researchers used and the researchers’ approach to drawing conclusions (Petticrew & Roberts, 2006).

The table for synthesis in this review identifies six elements that are authors of a study, year of publication, applied treatment, population, research design, and results. Limitation of systematic review Systematic reviews has a number of limitations. One of the limitations is a potential bias that is a threat to even high-profile professionals. A researcher’s pecuniary interest such as interest in a publisher also influences systematic reviews (Petticrew & Roberts, 2006). Systematic reviews are also time-consuming and may be expensive (Hopewell et al., 2007).