RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Understanding systematic reviews and meta-analysis
JF Archives of Disease in Childhood
JO Arch Dis Child
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health
SP 845
OP 848
DO 10.1136/adc.2004.058230
VO 90
IS 8
A1 A K Akobeng
YR 2005
UL http://adc.bmj.com/content/90/8/845.abstract
AB This review covers the basic principles of systematic reviews and meta-analyses. The problems associated with traditional narrative reviews are discussed, as is the role of systematic reviews in limiting bias associated with the assembly, critical appraisal, and synthesis of studies addressing specific clinical questions. Important issues that need to be considered when appraising a systematic review or meta-analysis are outlined, and some of the terms used in the reporting of systematic reviews and meta-analyses—such as odds ratio, relative risk, confidence interval, and the forest plot—are introduced.