Synthesis without meta-analysis (SWiM) in systematic reviews: reporting guideline

In systematic reviews that lack data amenable to meta-analysis, alternative synthesis methods are commonly used, but these methods are rarely reported. This lack of transparency in the methods can cast doubt on the validity of the review findings. The Synthesis Without Meta-analysis (SWiM) guideline...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:BMJ (Online) Vol. 368; p. l6890
Main Authors: Campbell, Mhairi, McKenzie, Joanne E, Sowden, Amanda, Katikireddi, Srinivasa Vittal, Brennan, Sue E, Ellis, Simon, Hartmann-Boyce, Jamie, Ryan, Rebecca, Shepperd, Sasha, Thomas, James, Welch, Vivian, Thomson, Hilary
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: England British Medical Journal Publishing Group 16.01.2020
BMJ Publishing Group LTD
BMJ Publishing Group Ltd
Subjects:
Data Accuracy
Data Interpretation, Statistical
Estimates
Humans
Intervention
Meta-analysis
Meta-Analysis as Topic
Outcome Assessment, Health Care - methods
Outcome Assessment, Health Care - standards
Research Design - standards
Research Methods & Reporting
Reviews
Systematic review
Systematic Reviews as Topic
ISSN:1756-1833, 0959-8138, 1756-1833
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:In systematic reviews that lack data amenable to meta-analysis, alternative synthesis methods are commonly used, but these methods are rarely reported. This lack of transparency in the methods can cast doubt on the validity of the review findings. The Synthesis Without Meta-analysis (SWiM) guideline has been developed to guide clear reporting in reviews of interventions in which alternative synthesis methods to meta-analysis of effect estimates are used. This article describes the development of the SWiM guideline for the synthesis of quantitative data of intervention effects and presents the nine SWiM reporting items with accompanying explanations and examples.
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ISSN:1756-1833
0959-8138
1756-1833
DOI:10.1136/bmj.l6890