@article{ref1,
title="How to read and understand and use systematic reviews and meta‐analyses",
journal="Acta psychiatrica Scandinavica",
year="2009",
author="Leucht, S. and Kissling, W. and Davis, J. M.",
volume="119",
number="6",
pages="443-450",
abstract="<p><b>Objective :</b> Systematic reviews and meta‐analyses are increasingly frequently used in the evaluation of medical treatments. This review explains the principles of the methodology, significance and limitations of systematic reviews.</p> <p><b>Method:</b> Short review article.</p> <p><b>Results:</b> In contrast to conventional reviews, systematic reviews use a structured approach in retrieving, analyzing and interpreting the evidence. A comprehensive search strategy is applied to identify all relevant trials. Study selection and data extraction is performed independently by at least two reviewers. The data are usually synthesized in a meta‐analysis applying statistical methods to examine homogeneity. Funnel plots and other statistical methods are applied to detect publication bias.</p> <p><b>Conclusion:</b> Due to the enormous amount of scientific information published every year, systematic reviews and meta‐analyses have become indispensable methods for the evaluation of medical treatments.</p><p />",
language="",
issn="0001-690X",
doi="10.1111/j.1600-0447.2009.01388.x",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0447.2009.01388.x"
}