What constitutes a systematic review according to the chapter?

A systematic review is an analysis of multiple individual studies on the same topic, conducted in a structured and auditable manner. It aims to collate findings from smaller studies to draw broader conclusions and is guided by a specific question or aim. Systematic reviews also assess the quality of included studies and can identify gaps in existing knowledge.

Systematic reviews are considered high-quality evidence and are structured to analyze a collection of studies on a specific topic. They involve developing a protocol that outlines the inclusion criteria, databases to be searched, and the types of studies to be included. The process includes assessing the quality of each study and grouping them for analysis, which helps in drawing comprehensive conclusions and informing future research or practice.