The Systematic Review Toolbox: keeping up to date with tools to support evidence synthesis
Abstract
Background The Systematic Review (SR) Toolbox was developed in 2014 to collate tools that can be used to support the systematic review process. Since its inception, the breadth of evidence synthesis methodologies has expanded greatly. This work describes the process of updating the SR Toolbox in 2022 to reflect these changes in evidence synthesis methodology. We also briefly analysed included tools and guidance to identify any potential gaps in what is currently available to researchers. Methods We manually extracted all guidance and software tools contained within the SR Toolbox in February 2022. A single reviewer, with a second checking a proportion, extracted and analysed information from records contained within the SR Toolbox using Microsoft Excel. Using this spreadsheet and Microsoft Access, the SR Toolbox was updated to reflect expansion of evidence synthesis methodologies and brief analysis conducted. Results The updated version of the SR Toolbox was launched on 13 May 2022, with 235 software tools and 112 guidance documents included. Regarding review families, most software tools ( N = 223) and guidance documents ( N = 78) were applicable to systematic reviews. However, there were fewer tools and guidance documents applicable to reviews of reviews ( N = 66 and N = 22, respectively), while qualitative reviews were less served by guidance documents ( N = 19). In terms of review production stages, most guidance documents surrounded quality assessment ( N = 70), while…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a systematic review. Its evidence level is 1 of 5 (Highest · pooled evidence). Pooled evidence from several studies sits at the top of the evidence pyramid. Reported size: 223 participants or records.
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