Systematic Review

1
Formulating a question for systematic review
Question formulation process

• Systematic Review
• A systematic review is a literature review
  focused on a single question which tries to
  identify, appraise, select and synthesize
  research evidence relevant to that question.
• The question addressed is usually evidence of an
  effectiveness of an intervention. This can
  inform policy, or, if insufficient evidence is
  available, will identify a knowledge gap and
  indicate areas where original research is needed.

A systematic review question is composed of the
following elements Subject unit of study (e.g.,
ecosystem, habitat, species, environmental
standard) to which the intervention will be
applied Intervention management regime, policy,
or action Outcome measure all relevant
objectives of the intervention that can be
reliably measured. Measurements of change in the
subject Comparator a control with no
intervention, an alternative intervention or
Before After Control Impact (BACI) studies
After the question Once a question has been
decided the next step is to set out how the
review will be carried out by writing a protocol.
For further Information on question setting and
conducting systematic reviews can be found at the
Centre for Evidence Based Conservation (CEBC) at
www.cebc.bangor.ac.uk. To read and find out more
about completed systematic reviews visit the
Collaboration for Environmental Evidence (CEE) at
www.environmentalevidence.org