Evidence Syntheses-Health Sciences

Systematic reviews are a team effort! Most standards recommend, and, in some cases, require, multiple reviewers to provide the necessary expertise for a systematic review, and to help reduce bias in the search and selection process. HSL Librarians can provide guidance and assistance with the review process, and may be available as members of the review team.

https://www.cochrane.org/authors/handbooks-and-manuals/handbook/current/chapter-ii#section-ii-2

Depending upon the type of review being conducted, review teams should ideally consist of members with:

• Knowledge of general JBI systematic review methodology such as formulating a review question, defining inclusion criteria and critical appraisal.
• An information scientist or research librarian with specialized skills to develop and implement a comprehensive search strategy.
• Specific methodological expertise required for the type of review being undertaken, for example, knowledge of the statistical methods to be used, experience in qualitative synthesis, or experience with economic analyses for economic evaluations.
• Knowledge of the topic area. Representation from relevant knowledge user groups (for example, clinicians, patient representatives, researchers, policy makers) is recommended, particularly where the review is being undertaken by systematic reviewers/methodologists rather than topic experts.
• The ability to write a report in English to a publishable standard.

1.2 Planning a JBI Review—JBI Manual for Evidence Synthesis—JBI Global Wiki. (n.d.). Retrieved June 18, 2025, from https://jbi-global-wiki.refined.site/space/MANUAL/355598416/1.2+Planning+a+JBI+Review

Review the recommendations of the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) criteria for authorship.

https://www.icmje.org/recommendations