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Methodological and Systematic Errors in Systematic Reviews in Health Domain: A Systematic Review
Roya Vesal Azad1, Nosrat Riahinia1, Ali Azimi1
1Department of Knowledge and Information Science, Faculty of Psychology and Education, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran.
Medical Journal of the Islamic Republic of Iran
|July 31, 2025
Summary
Systematic reviews are crucial for healthcare policy. This study identified 77 potential errors in systematic reviews, emphasizing the need for rigorous methodology to ensure accurate health decisions and prevent suboptimal patient care.
Area of Science:
- Health Research Methodology
- Evidence-Based Practice
- Medical Policy
Background:
- Systematic reviews are the highest level of evidence in healthcare and policy-making.
- Errors in systematic reviews can lead to significant negative consequences for patient care and treatment decisions.
- Ensuring the quality and accuracy of systematic reviews is paramount for reliable health information.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically identify potential errors in systematic reviews within the health field.
- To highlight the complexity and challenges in maintaining accuracy in systematic review methodologies.
- To inform researchers on mitigating common errors in systematic reviews.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive literature search was conducted across major databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Embase, Cochrane Library, ProQuest).
- Keywords included "Bias," "Error," and "Systematic Reviews" with no time restrictions.
- After initial retrieval of 2333 articles and 11 books, 88 relevant sources were closely examined based on inclusion/exclusion criteria.
Main Results:
- Analysis of 88 relevant sources revealed 77 distinct types of errors.
- These errors can occur within individual studies or across multiple studies included in a review.
- The findings underscore the intricate nature of ensuring accuracy in systematic review processes.
Conclusions:
- High-quality systematic reviews are essential for valid clinical decisions and health policies.
- Methodological rigor and the identification of error sources (e.g., selection bias, information bias) are crucial.
- Implementing strategies like robust search protocols and transparent reporting (e.g., PRISMA guidelines) can significantly enhance review quality and validity.
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