Eligibility criteria in systematic reviews: A methodological review

International Journal of Nursing Studies
Niall McCraeEdward Purssell

Abstract

Systematic reviews of literature are increasingly important in healthcare. While reviewers are expected to follow reporting guidelines, inconsistencies may be observed in presentation of reviews, potentially detracting from the credibility of findings. Predetermined eligibility criteria are fundamental to the systematic process of reviewing, and should be given primacy in authors' reports. This methodological review assessed the specification and application of eligibility criteria in systematic reviews in three leading generic nursing journals. While reporting guidelines were generally followed, major anomalies were revealed by this review. Over three-quarters of review papers placed eligibility criteria after description of the search strategy. Unjustified time restrictions were common, and many flowcharts omitted vital information. Greater scrutiny of systematic reviews submitted to nursing journals would enhance the quality of reports and contribute to more robust evidence-based practice.

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Citations

Sep 16, 2015·Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice·Niall McCrae, Edward Purssell
Apr 9, 2015·International Journal of Nursing Studies·Carl Thompson
Oct 1, 2016·AIDS Research and Therapy·Emilia Maria Vaz Martins-FonteynEdwin Wouters
Dec 18, 2016·Journal of Advanced Nursing·Judith A Floyd
Aug 22, 2017·ANS. Advances in Nursing Science·Coleen E TorontoRuth Remington
Sep 15, 2019·International Endodontic Journal·V NagendrababuP M H Dummer

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