Types of Evidence Synthesis Beyond Systematic Reviews in Evidence-Based Practice Publications in Audiology Research:...

Evidence synthesis refers to structured literature reviews that follow established guidelines and are reproducible, such as systematic reviews, scoping reviews, and meta-analyses. The methodological expectations for evidence synthesis, and especially systematic reviews, have evolved and become more rigorous.

This tutorial will provide information about new and emerging types of evidence synthesis, as well as an introduction to the updated standards for systematic reviews and meta-analysis.

Tutorial.

This paper gives a brief history of evidence synthesis, along with an overview of the current literature on best methods for various types of evidence synthesis appropriate for audiology research. A detailed description of current standards and methods in evidence synthesis is provided, as well as published examples of the various types of evidence synthesis research in audiology.

Evidence synthesis methods are presented, along with information about the process and steps for choosing the most appropriate method based on research needs. The expectations and benefits of the different types of methodology are introduced.

Although systematic reviews are highly recognized and used within the field, the quality of systematic reviews can vary greatly. Understanding the different types of evidence synthesis methodologies, deciding how to choose the appropriate method for the research question, and reviewing the recognized international standards for systematic reviews will enable professionals to produce higher-quality research that can be used to guide clinical practice.

Given the contributions of evidence synthesis to evidence-based practice (e.g., clinical practice guidelines, systematic reviews, position statements, etc.), this tutorial provides readers with guidance and resources for clinician and/or researcher teams to begin an evidence synthesis project that follows best practices. It also serves as an introduction for those seeking more information on evidence synthesis best practices and methods.