Statistical and methodological challenges in cochrane public health systematic reviews: an overview

Authors

Melissa Glenda Lewis Ms, Manipal University
Ravishankar N Mr, Manipal University
Anusha Mujja Ms, Manipal University
Sreekumaran Nair N Dr, Manipal UniversityFollow

Abstract

Background: The article aims to investigate the suitability of Cochrane handbook for the preparation of systematic reviews of public health importance. Methods: The information about various aspects of a systematic review was extracted from all 39 Cochrane public health systematic reviews, independently by three reviewers. This was carried out by means of a data extraction form and was examined if the methodological constructs used by the reviews have been furnished in the Cochrane handbook. Results and Discussion: It was observed that17 (44%) of the 39 reviews adopted meta-analysis and 20(52%) of the systematic reviews used the risk of bias assessment tool other than that mentioned in the handbook. Conclusion: The Cochrane handbook is not an effective comprehensive source of information for the preparation of systematic reviews of public health importance

Recommended Citation

Lewis, Melissa Glenda Ms; N, Ravishankar Mr; Mujja, Anusha Ms; and N, Sreekumaran Nair Dr (2015) "Statistical and methodological challenges in cochrane public health systematic reviews: an overview," Manipal Journal of Nursing and Health Sciences: Vol. 1: Iss. 1, .
Available at: https://impressions.manipal.edu/mjnhs/vol1/iss1/12