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Development of a framework to identify research gaps from systematic reviews
Karen A Robinson1, Ian J Saldanha, Naomi A McKoy
1Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, 1830 East Monument Street, Baltimore, MD, USA. krobin@jhmi.edu
Journal of Clinical Epidemiology
|September 23, 2011
Summary
A new framework helps identify research gaps in systematic reviews by pinpointing what evidence is missing and why. This improves future research by clarifying needed studies and questions.
Area of Science:
- Evidence-based practice
- Systematic reviews
- Research gap identification
Background:
- Systematic reviews are crucial for evidence-based practice.
- Identifying research gaps within reviews is challenging.
- Existing methods for gap identification lack standardization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a standardized framework for identifying research gaps from systematic reviews.
- To improve the clarity and utility of systematic reviews in guiding future research.
Main Methods:
- Reviewed practices of evidence-based practice centers (EPCs) and other evidence synthesis organizations.
- Developed and pilot-tested a novel framework for research gap identification.
- Incorporated PICOS (population, intervention, comparison, outcomes, setting) elements and reasons for gaps.
Main Results:
- Few organizations (33% EPCs, 8% others) used explicit frameworks for gap identification.
- PICO (population, intervention, comparison, outcomes) variations were common.
- The developed framework categorizes gaps by PICOS elements and reasons (insufficient/imprecise, biased, inconsistent, or incorrect information).
Conclusions:
- The new framework explicitly identifies where and why evidence falls short in systematic reviews.
- This enhances systematic reviews' ability to guide future research questions and study designs.
- Facilitates more targeted and efficient research endeavors.
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