Evidence Synthesis ProjectsSystematic, scoping, and rapid reviews are all forms of evidence synthesis. Researchers undertaking these types of projects aim to find and analyze all the relevant information related to their research question. Evidence syntheses are used to build-up the evidence base and provide the basis for documents such as clinical practice guidelines. For this reason, it is very important that the methodology is followed. Poor quality systematic reviews do get published (unfortunately) but this then leads to a degradation of the overall evidence base and potentially to inaccurate practice recommendations.General GuidelinesCannot be completed by a single person​. Build a team that includes:Subject matter experts​Search experts​Methods experts​Require a substantial time commitment:​Systematic reviews need 12-24 months on average​.Must use transparent and reproducible methods​:Use established methodologies​,Make your full search strategy for at least one database available​.Key Stages in Evidence Synthesis ProjectsExplore the topic with some preliminary searches​, and check that an evidence synthesis on the topic doesn’t already exist,Develop clear research questions, ​Write (and publish) a protocol​,Build a systematic search strategy​ in your main database (often PubMed), test it, and translate it for your other databases,Screen title & abstract (Covidence is available to Laurier researchers),Screen full text,Complete data extraction & analysis​ as required for the type of review,Write up and submit for publication.Challenges for Student-Led Evidence Synthesis ProjectsCannot usually be completed in two semesters,Cannot be completed by one person working alone​,Undergraduate and master’s students are not yet subject matter, search, or methodology experts​,Searches will not be developed by a search expert​.Key ResourcesMethodologyCochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions Joanna Briggs Institute Manual for Evidence Synthesis Reporting GuidelinesPRISMA-P for systematic review protocols PRISMA-S for reporting literature searches in systematic reviews PRISMA-ScR for reporting scoping reviews PRISMA 2020 Statement for reporting systematic reviews Evidence Synthesis ToolsProtocol registration: Prospero, OSFProtocol journal publication (fees will apply): JBI Evidence Synthesis, BMJ Open, Systematic ReviewsCitation management: Zotero or MendeleyDatabase selection: Laurier Library Subject GuidesScreening: CovidenceTraining and EducationUniversity of Toronto Gerstein Science Information Centre GuidesKnowledge Syntheses: Systematic & Scoping Reviews, and other review types Searching the Literature: A Guide to Comprehensive Searching in the Health Sciences Carnegie Mellon University Open Learning InitiativeSystematic Reviews and Meta Analysis: A Campbell Collaboration Online Course Author GuidelinesEvidence synthesis papers often have multiple authors. The International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) provides helpful guidelines on defining the role of authors and contributors.One key point is that all authors must have “final approval of the version to be published”. Do not submit a work for publication without first sharing the final version of the paper and checking that all the people listed as authors wish to be included. Librarians can help you with systematic reviews and other forms of evidence synthesis.Contact your Liaison Librarian.