“Evidence Synthesis is a method that examines data from relevant literature to answer a specific research question intended to be used to inform decision-making” (Bucholz & Dickens, 2023).
Evidence Synthesis allows the researcher to systematize the research process by completing the finite steps of canvassing, gathering, analyzing and appraising existing literature in an effort to garner findings from multiple sources, evaluate said information, and fuse the information to not only inform the reader but ofttimes generate new hypotheses or theories (Bucholz & Dickens, 2023).
This process allows the reviewer to “examine strengths, limitations, implications and gaps in literature” (Bucholz & Dickens, 2023).
References
Bucholz, S. & Dickens, K. (Eds.). (2023). Literature review and synthesis: A guide for nurses and other healthcare professionals. Springer Publishing Company, Incorporated.
https://ebookcentral.
What is research, and what is qualitative versus quantitative research? What is mixed methods research? Many different homework assignments ask the student to locate qualitative research or quantitative research articles. See https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/communityengagement/pce_program_methods.html for some definitions. The British Library has a site describing qualitative research. Also, the US PubMed Central data source has an article describing qualitative research. Mixed methods research, a combination of different types of research, can be studied at a US National Institutes of Health information source here. Many resources throughout the world concern themselves with ethical research conduct, including how to carefully manage individuals who are the subject of research and clinical trials (see NIH Clinical Research Trials and You). The US National Institutes of Health and also the Australian government display a National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research, and the UK government has much information concerning the National Health Service Health Research Authority and more.
A systematic review is a detailed research process often taking a year of the creator's (your) time. Many wonderful resources describe this product, including the Cochrane Handbook (at https://training.cochrane.org/handbook), and at the Library for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (at https://www.cdc.gov/library/researchguides/systematicreviews.html). Much has been written about this process using PRISMA (see http://prisma-statement.org/).
Scoping reviews (see https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/full/10.7326/M18-0850?rfr_dat=cr_pub++0pubmed&url_ver=Z39.88-2003&rfr_id=ori%3Arid%3Acrossref.org) also can use PRISMA, which is a kind of checklist of items needed to consider for inclusion within either research process. Scoping reviews are described at Cochrane training (see https://training.cochrane.org/resource/scoping-reviews-what-they-are-and-how-you-can-do-them). Cochrane has much helpful information on doing in depth research well.
Either a systematic or a scoping review involves a detailed process where an exhaustive search of the literature is made and then the data is managed. This means that you will select which databases are the best for your searching (see A-Z Databases.) In the health sciences, some great databases to which TWU subscribes are PubMed, CINAHL, Cochrane, and Science Direct.The data downloaded will need to be carefully curated or managed. Information management tools may include the no-cost Rayyan (see https://www.rayyan.ai/) and other products. Your TWU librarians can be of help you you in your journey through these processes.
