Kastner Monika, Antony Jesmin, Soobiah Charlene, Straus Sharon E, Tricco Andrea C
Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital, 209 Victoria Street, Toronto, Ontario M5B 1W8, Canada; Epidemiology Division, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Health Sciences Building, 155 College Street, 6th floor, Toronto, Ontario M5T 3M7, Canada.
Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital, 209 Victoria Street, Toronto, Ontario M5B 1W8, Canada.
J Clin Epidemiol. 2016 May;73:43-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jclinepi.2015.11.022. Epub 2016 Feb 18.
To compare and contrast different knowledge synthesis methods and map their specific steps through a scoping review to gain a better understanding of how to select the most appropriate knowledge synthesis method to answer research questions of complex evidence.
Electronic databases were searched to identify studies reporting emerging knowledge synthesis methods (e.g., Realist review) across multidisciplinary fields. Two reviewers independently selected studies and abstracted data for each article.
We synthesized diverse, often conflicting evidence to identify 12 unique knowledge synthesis methods and 13 analysis methods. We organized the 12 full knowledge synthesis methods according to their purpose, outputs and applicability for practice and policy, as well as general guidance on formulating the research question. To make sense of the overlap across these knowledge synthesis methods, we derived a conceptual algorithm to elucidate the process for selecting the optimal knowledge synthesis methods for particular research questions.
These findings represent a preliminary understanding on which we will base further advancement of knowledge in this field. As part of next steps, we will convene a meeting of international leaders in the field aimed at clarifying emerging knowledge synthesis approaches.
通过范围综述比较和对比不同的知识综合方法，并梳理其具体步骤，以便更好地理解如何选择最合适的知识综合方法来回答复杂证据的研究问题。
检索电子数据库，以识别多学科领域中报告新兴知识综合方法（如实证综述）的研究。两名评审员独立选择研究并提取每篇文章的数据。
我们综合了多样且往往相互冲突的证据，识别出12种独特的知识综合方法和13种分析方法。我们根据其目的、产出、对实践和政策的适用性以及制定研究问题的一般指导，对这12种完整的知识综合方法进行了整理。为了理解这些知识综合方法之间的重叠之处，我们推导了一个概念算法，以阐明为特定研究问题选择最佳知识综合方法的过程。
这些发现代表了我们对该领域知识进一步发展的初步理解。作为下一步的一部分，我们将召开该领域国际领导者会议，旨在阐明新兴的知识综合方法。
