Systematic reviews and evidence synthesis: Resources beyond the health sciences

Abstract

Asystematic review is a type of review that “seeks to systematically search for, appraise and synthesis research evidence,”¹ including results published in grey literature. For decades, systematic reviews have been widely used to synthesize evidence in the health sciences. More recently, other disciplines, such as agriculture and the social sciences, have seen a rise in systematic reviews and related research methodologies. In response to this development, both Cornell University² and the University of Minnesota Libraries³ have launched systematic review services that explicitly cater to non-health-sciences researchers at their institutions. Because it is recommended that librarians play a part on systematic review teams,⁴ there is a need for resources and skill development in this area.