Designing, planning, and conducting systematic reviews and other knowledge syntheses: Six key practical recommendations to improve feasibility and efficiency

• Published in: Worldviews on evidence-based nursing Vol. 19; no. 6; pp. 434 - 441
• Main Authors: Fontaine, Guillaume, Maheu‐Cadotte, Marc‐André, Lavallée, Andréane, Mailhot, Tanya, Lavoie, Patrick, Rouleau, Geneviève, Vinette, Billy, García, Maria‐Pilar Ramírez, Bourbonnais, Anne
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01-12-2022
• Subjects: Efficiency; evidence synthesis; evidence‐based practice; evidence‐informed practice; Feasibility Studies; Humans; Knowledge; knowledge synthesis; Medical research; Nursing education; Research methodology; Research Personnel; scoping reviews; Students, Nursing; Systematic review; systematic reviews; knowledge synthesis; evidence-based practice; evidence synthesis; systematic reviews; scoping reviews; evidence-informed practice
• ISSN: 1545-102X; 1741-6787
• DOI: 10.1111/wvn.12609

Background
Knowledge syntheses, such as systematic reviews, scoping reviews, and realist reviews, are crucial tools to guide nursing practice, policy, and research. However, conducting high‐quality knowledge syntheses is a complex and time‐consuming endeavor. It is imperative for nursing students, clinicians, and researchers to be aware of key practical recommendations regarding the conduct of knowledge syntheses to improve the feasibility and efficiency of such projects.
Aim
The aim of this paper was to discuss key practical recommendations for designing, planning, and conducting knowledge syntheses relevant to nursing policy, practice, and research.
Methods
The recommendations discussed are based on best‐practice guidance about knowledge synthesis methodology proposed by The Campbell Collaboration (Campbell systematic reviews: Policies and guidelines, 2020), Cochrane (Cochrane training, 2019), and the Joanna Briggs Institute (The Joanna Briggs Institute reviewers' manual, 2020) and on strategies used by the authors to improve the feasibility and efficiency of knowledge syntheses.
Results
This paper highlights six key practical recommendations that nursing students, clinicians, and researchers should take into account when deciding to embark on a knowledge synthesis project: (1) determining if (and why) knowledge synthesis should be conducted; (2) selecting the appropriate type of knowledge synthesis, as well as the associated methodological guidance and reporting standards; (3) developing a search strategy that balances sensitivity and specificity; (4) writing a protocol and obtaining feedback; (5) determining the resources required to conduct the different stages of the knowledge synthesis; and (6) keeping an audit trail. Fifteen common types of knowledge synthesis are presented with their definitions, relevant methodological guidance, and reporting standards.
Linking evidence to action
The recommendations discussed, used in conjunction with appropriate methodological guidelines, may help ensure the success of a knowledge synthesis project by providing best‐practice and experience‐based guidance to newcomers in the field.