BACKGROUND The interest in prognostic reviews is increasing, but to properly review existing evidence an accurate search filer for finding prediction research is needed. The aim of this paper was to validate and update two previously introduced search filters for finding prediction research in Medline: the Ingui filter and the Haynes Broad filter. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Based on a han...

The review process of academic, scientific research and its basic tenets is considered, thereby distinguishing between (i) reviewing of manuscripts to be published in the scientific literature, (ii) reviewing of research proposals to be financed by funding agencies, (iii) reviewing of educational or research institutions with respect to their proper functioning, and (iv) reviewing of scientists...

In a controlled experiment using Comrade, a computer-supported peer review system, we explored whether a simple manipulation of the reviewing process could improve the reviewers’ understanding of an author’s essay topic and thus improve the quality of the reviews as well as the reviewer’s own subsequent draft. Student reviewers were randomly assigned either to an original-feedback condition, wh...

In this paper I examine both philosophical and operational aspects of cultivating a peer review of teaching process that embraces online learning as an integral, unique part of university teaching and learning endeavors. Reflecting on my own experiences as both a candidate and reviewer, my analysis seeks to disrupts presumptions about observation, interaction, teaching and assessment, which are...

The current difficulties in keeping systematic reviews up to date leads to considerable inaccuracy, hampering the translation of knowledge into action. Incremental advances in conventional review updating are unlikely to lead to substantial improvements in review currency. A new approach is needed. We propose living systematic review as a contribution to evidence synthesis that combines currenc...

This paper discusses the synthesis of qualitative data during the systematic review of interpretive research. Current approaches to data synthesis can be broadly classified as either descriptive or interpretive. Descriptive data synthesis is achieved through narrative and tabulation. While a number of different terms have been used, interpretive synthesis is achieved through processes similar t...

BACKGROUND The inclusion of qualitative studies in systematic reviews poses methodological challenges. This paper presents worked examples of two methods of data synthesis (textual narrative and thematic), used in relation to one review, with the aim of enabling researchers to consider the strength of different approaches. METHODS A systematic review of lay perspectives of infant size and gro...

Systematic reviews of public health interventions are fraught with challenges. Complexity is inherent; this may be due to multi-component interventions, diverse study populations, multiple outcomes measured, mixed study designs utilized and the effect of context on intervention design, implementation and effectiveness. For policy makers and practitioners to use systematic reviews to implement e...