Julian Elliott, Tari Turner
Abstract
The methods of systematic review are well developed but resource intensive, which limits the feasibility, timeliness, and currency of high-quality evidence synthesis. Several new technologies and processes are emerging that address these challenges by improving the efficiency of systematic review production. Specialized software platforms continue to develop functionality that improves workflow and review team collaboration. Text mining and machine learning algorithms are being developed to semi-automate the most time-consuming tasks in systematic review, for example by reducing the number of citations to be screened. Many review tasks are also amenable to crowdsourced contributions from citizen scientists. Underpinning these innovations is the development of metadata systems that can enhance the discoverability and reuse of research and systematic review outputs. Together, semi-automation and metadata systems are creating the possibility of a more integrated evidence ecosystem in which frequently updated “living” systematic reviews and guideline recommendations can efficiently and dynamically connect research and other data outputs to point of care and policymaking. With the increasing availability of large datasets relevant to health, these technologies and processes are required to make sense of the data deluge in ways that are efficient, trustworthy, and minimize risks of bias. Ultimately, open and structured datasets and sophisticated artificial intelligence will lead to health decision support systems with little or no direct human input. The evidence-based practice community has important roles to play in the development, implementation, and governance of these systems.
Corrections
There are currently no corrections for this chapter.
Resources
There are currently no resources for this chapter.
Practicals
There are no practicals for this chapter.
Author affiliations
Julian Elliot
Cochrane Australia, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
Tari Turner
Cochrane Australia, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
How to cite this chapter?
For the printed version of the book
Elliott, J. and Turner, T. (2022). Chapter 23. Innovations in systematic review production. In: Systematic Reviews in Health Research: Meta-analysis in Context (eds M. Egger, J.P.T. Higgins and G. Davey Smith), pp 449-462. Hoboken, NJ : Wiley.
For the electronic version of the book
Elliott, J. and Turner, T. (2022). Chapter 23. Innovations in systematic review production. In: Systematic Reviews in Health Research: Meta-analysis in Context (eds M. Egger, J.P.T. Higgins and G. Davey Smith). https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119099369.ch23