metareview

Metareview is a type of literature review that analyzes and synthesizes findings from multiple primary studies on a specific research question. Unlike a traditional literature review, which focuses on the content of individual studies, a metareview examines the methods, results, and conclusions of existing reviews. The goal is to provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of knowledge on a topic, identify areas of consensus and disagreement among reviews, and highlight gaps in the existing literature.

Metareviews are often used in fields such as medicine, psychology, and social sciences to inform clinical practice, guide future research, and develop policy recommendations. They can help to resolve conflicting findings from individual studies, provide a more robust estimate of treatment effects, and identify factors that may influence outcomes.

The process of conducting a metareview typically involves several steps. First, a clear research question is formulated. Then, a systematic search is conducted to identify relevant primary studies and existing reviews. The identified reviews are then critically appraised for their quality and methodological rigor. Finally, the findings of the included reviews are synthesized and interpreted to address the research question.

Metareviews can offer significant advantages by consolidating a large body of research, providing a higher level of evidence than individual studies, and facilitating a more nuanced understanding of complex research areas. However, the quality of a metareview is dependent on the quality of the reviews it includes and the rigor of its own systematic process.