12: Reviews at a glance

A review will include the following sections and information.

Background or Introduction

• Explanation of why review needed, with reference to existing reviews (if any).
• Review’s research question or objectives.

Methods

• Use STARLITE to describe the search strategy, processes for selecting studies, critical appraisal and analysis.

Findings

• Narrative summaries of all key aspects (study designs and participants, intervention/exposures, outcomes measured and results/findings).
• Report similarities, differences, gaps and inconsistencies across included studies.

Conclusion

• Answer the research question or explain why it can’t be answered (can include this in previous section).
• Describe strengths and limitations of review, and any gaps that may need to be addressed in future studies.
• Recommendations for future research, including methodological issues.