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Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Systematic Review?
A systematic review is defined as “a
review of a clearly formulated question that uses systematic
and explicit methods to identify, select and critically
appraise relevant research, and to collect and analyze
data from the studies that are included in the review.
Statistical methods ([such as] meta-analysis) may or
may not be used to analyze and summarize the results
of the included studies.”
For more information on the importance of and rationale
for systematic reviews, please see the following article:
Rationale
for systematic reviews
Another article on this topic is Get
the Big Picture, with Less Bias, written by Hilda Bastian.
What is the Cochrane Collaboration and what
does it do?
The Cochrane Collaboration is an international non-profit
and independent organization, dedicated to making up-to-date, accurate
information about the effects of healthcare readily available worldwide.
It produces and disseminates systematic reviews of healthcare interventions
and promotes the search for evidence in the form of clinical trials
and other studies of interventions. The Cochrane Collaboration was
founded in 1993 and named for the British epidemiologist, Archie
Cochrane.
What is distinctive or important about Cochrane
systematic reviews?
A Cochrane review is a systematic, up-to-date
summary of reliable evidence of the benefits and risks
of [a healthcare intervention]. Cochrane reviews are
intended to help people make practical decisions [about
healthcare]. The specific methods used in [preparing]
a Cochrane review are described in the text of the
review . . . [which] adheres to a structured format.” Cochrane
reviews are prepared by volunteer reviewers working
with the Cochrane Collaboration, and are published
quarterly on The Cochrane Library.
Who writes systematic reviews?
Cochrane systematic reviews are prepared by people
who have an interest in finding what evidence is available to answer
a specific healthcare question such as “Does aspirin prevent
second heart attack?” They may be healthcare professionals
or consumers of healthcare; The Cochrane Collaboration works to
support participation by anyone interested in undertaking a systematic
review, regardless of their background or training.
What is The Cochrane Library?
The Cochrane Library is a collection of databases,
prepared or compiled by The Cochrane Collaboration and other organizations
focused on evidence-based healthcare research. It is published quarterly
on the Internet and on CD-ROM, and is available by subscription.
What is evidence-based health care?
Evidence-based health care is “the conscientious,
explicit and judicious use of current best evidence in making decisions
about health care. This requires integrating individual health care
expertise and the patient's circumstances and wishes with the best
available external clinical evidence from systematic research and
reviews on issues of diagnostic accuracy, prognosis, and the effectiveness
of therapy.”
What is the role of the US Cochrane Center
in The Cochrane Collaboration?
The US Cochrane Center (USCC) is responsible for coordinating
US involvement in the work of The Cochrane Collaboration. To achieve
this, the USCC provides information, training, and support to people
interested in the work of The Cochrane Collaboration, as well as
to those already involved in preparing systematic reviews. The USCC
also works to disseminate information about evidence-based health
care and The Cochrane Collaboration to the US healthcare community.
In addition to these roles, the USCC also coordinates The Cochrane
Collaboration’s initiatives to undertake electronic and hand
searching of healthcare literature worldwide. These initiatives
are to identify reports of trials and to contribute to the development
of the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, a resource
for reviewers which is one of the databases published on The Cochrane
Library. Further information on the USCC’s contributions to
these initiatives may be found elsewhere on this website.
What is handsearching?
The Cochrane Collaboration defines handsearching
as
“the planned searching of a journal page by page
(i.e. by hand), including editorials, letters, etc.,
to identify all reports of randomized controlled trials
and controlled clinical trials . . . Trial[s] found
. . . [are] coded appropriately using definitions agreed
within The Cochrane Collaboration. All identified trials,
regardless of topic, are sent to the [US Cochrane Center
(USCC)] . . . for inclusion in [Cochrane
Central Register of Controlled Trials] . . . A handsearching
manual is available through the [USCC -- add link]
and should be read before handsearching is commenced.
A journal handsearch registration form must be completed
for each journal title, and sent to [the USCC] to avoid
duplication of effort].”
How can I contribute?
If you want more information on how to get involved
in The Cochrane Collaboration and are based in the US, contact the
US Cochrane Center (USCC):
Coordinator
US Cochrane Center
615 N Wolfe Street, Box W5010
Baltimore, Maryland 21205
Phone: 410- 502-4640
E-mail: USCC@jhsph.edu
A member of the USCC staff will work with you to identify
the best way for you to get involved and direct you to the appropriate
Cochrane entity for your area of interest.
Source for all quotes is the Glossary of the Cochrane
Reviewers’ Handbook:
(Source: Clarke M, Oxman AD, editors.
Cochrane
Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions 4.2.5
[updated May 2005].
http://www.cochrane.org/resources/handbook )
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