Methodological approaches for developing and reporting living evidence synthesis: a study protocol

Area of Science:

• Health Sciences
• Evidence-Based Medicine
• Research Methodology

Background:

• Living evidence (LE) involves continuously incorporating new research findings into evidence syntheses.
• This approach is crucial for addressing complex and evolving clinical questions.
• Current LE methodologies lack standardization, leading to significant variability among research groups.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically identify and evaluate the diverse methods employed in living evidence synthesis.
• To provide a comprehensive summary of the current state of living evidence synthesis techniques.
• To highlight areas of methodological consistency and divergence in the field.

Main Methods:

• A systematic literature search will be conducted across Medline (PubMed) and Epistemonikos databases.
• The search will identify evidence syntheses, including systematic reviews and meta-analyses, utilizing living evidence synthesis methods.
• Two independent reviewers will assess articles, extract data on methods, and evaluate methodological quality, followed by descriptive analysis.

Main Results:

• The study aims to categorize and describe the various methodological approaches currently used in living evidence synthesis.
• It will identify commonalities and differences in how LE is implemented across different studies.
• The analysis will provide insights into the quality and rigor of existing LE methods.

Conclusions:

• Standardization of living evidence synthesis methods is needed to reduce variability and enhance reliability.
• This synthesis will inform best practices for conducting and reporting living evidence syntheses.
• Further research may be warranted to develop and refine LE methodologies for optimal clinical application.