Define
Fix the proposition, population, exposure or mechanism, comparator and outcome before searching.
STRUCTURED REVIEW
Literature review method
A reproducible route from research question to evidence record, including contrary and null findings.
Review sequence
Search
Record databases, search strings, dates, filters and supplementary source routes.
Screen
Apply written inclusion and exclusion criteria and retain exclusion reasons.
Extract
Capture design, sample, measures, findings, limitations, funding and relevance.
Appraise
Assess source quality and fit to the exact claim without converting association into causation.
Synthesise
Report convergence, inconsistency, uncertainty, gaps and credible alternative explanations.
Initial inclusion principles
- Direct relevance to a numbered proposition or competing explanation.
- Methods and population described well enough to assess applicability.
- Original research, systematic review, scholarly theory paper or authoritative official evidence.
- Contrary, null and replication evidence retained rather than filtered out.
- Publication date is not used as a proxy for quality, although currency is considered.
Minimum extraction fields
Source ID; proposition ID; full citation; stable link or DOI; source type; research question; jurisdiction; population; design; sample; measures; main result; effect or uncertainty where reported; limitations; conflicts or funding; support/challenge/neutral classification; reviewer note; review date.