What are the Common Challenges in Systematic Reviews?
Several challenges can be encountered during systematic reviews:
- Heterogeneity: Variability in study designs, populations, interventions, and outcomes can complicate data synthesis and interpretation. - Publication Bias: The tendency to publish only positive or significant findings can skew the results of a systematic review. - Quality of Included Studies: The overall quality of the systematic review is dependent on the quality of the included studies. Poor-quality studies can lead to misleading conclusions. - Resource Intensive: Conducting a systematic review requires substantial time, effort, and expertise, making it resource-intensive.