Appraising Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses

Cochrane Skin Group systematic reviews are more methodologically rigorous than other systematic reviews in dermatology

“…performed a comprehensive quality assessment of reviews using the validated 10-item Oxman and Guyatt scale. [5][6][7] Reviewers were given structured data collection forms (see Appendix 2) with instructions, the article title and the items from the Oxman and Guyatt scale. The questions of the scale assessed five methodological aspects of the scientific quality of a systematic review or meta-analysis (search strategy, selection strategies, quality assessment, pooling and results).…”

Machine learning in burn care and research: A systematic review of the literature

“…In addition, observational studies vary considerably in design and analysis. In analyzing a systematic review of observational studies, qualitative clinical endpoint may therefore be as important as quantitative endpoint [36].…”

Dermatoepidemiology

“…92,93 A systematic review is an overview providing an unbiased summary of a large body of literature to answer a specific clinical question. 94 Unlike the traditional narrative reviews, systematic reviews address a precisely formulated question and use systematic and explicit methodology to identify and critically appraise pertinent literature. The explicit and comprehensive protocols in these reviews make them reproducible and decrease the potential for bias related to exclusion or discounting of pertinent studies.…”

“…114,115 Although the study of critical appraisal skills is beyond the scope of this review, and is reviewed elsewhere. 36,75,90,94 Three general questions are usually addressed: (1) whether the study is important;…”