Acceptance of systematic reviews as Master/PhD theses in Brazilian graduate programs in dentistry

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate whether a master and PhD thesis in Brazilian graduate programs in dentistry can be based on a systematic review (SR). Methods:In this cross-sectional study, we surveyed the coordinators of Brazilian graduate programs in dentistry using a self-administered questionnaire including questions about whether an SR meets requirements for approval of a master or PhD thesis, instructions regarding how to use an SR as the method for a master or PhD thesis, and reasons and barriers that SRs were not recognized as acceptable for a master or PhD thesis. The responses were analyzed descriptively, and tables and graphs were created to summarize the data.Results: Among 101 graduate programs invited to participate in the study, 38 (37.6%) returned the questionnaire. Over three-quarters of surveyed programs (n = 30, 78.1%) answered that SRs, in whole or in part, meet the criteria for a master or PhD thesis. Likewise, most programs answered that a master or PhD thesis could be exclusively based on an SR (n = 28, 73.7%). The same number of programs pointed out that one possible reason for not recognizing SRs as a master or PhD thesis is either the lack of SR expertise among committee members (n = 28, 73.7%) or the lack of adequate training of candidates in SR methodology (n = 26, 68.4%). Conclusions:SRs are well accepted as a master or PhD thesis by Brazilian graduate programs in dentistry. Educational initiatives should be encouraged to promote understanding of SR methodology and increase acceptance among graduate programs worldwide. K E Y W O R D Sdentistry, education, surveys and questionnaires, systematic review

Reporting characteristics of systematic review abstracts published in the proceedings of the SBPqO meeting

“…A significant number of systematic review abstracts (n=235) were presented in the SBPqO meeting since establishing a special section for this type of study. Three aspects could be involved in this result: 1) Bassani et al (2019) 3 demonstrated that Brazil is one of the countries that publish the most systematic reviews in dentistry; 2) Dotto et al (2020) 18 showed that systematic reviews are well accepted as a Master's or PhD thesis by Brazilian graduate programs in dentistry; and 3) Brazil has an upper-middle-income economy and systematic reviews are cheaper than other methodologies such as randomized controlled trials resulting in a research methodology appropriate for this setting 18 .…”