Showcasing Software to Make Systematic Reviews More Systematic

Systematic reviews in social work research and education have been increasingly recognized for their utility in synthesizing a body of literature and informing clinical practice and interventions. Reviews bring convergence to areas of study and synthesize both intervention and correlational research (Cooper, 2010). However, conducting a methodologically rigorous systematic review is challenging, even when the reviewed scientific literature is easily identified. The purpose of this workshop is to present sound methods of conducting systematic reviews, discuss methodological and logistical challenges, and present novel and emerging technology to facilitate collaboration by multiple and simultaneous reviewers. The panelists will provide examples of completed reviews which drive research agendas in different areas of social work research and practice.

This workshop describes the challenges of conducting a systematic review synthesis particularly related to the practical and logistical problems of multiple, simultaneous reviewers and quantifying reviewer outcomes. New web-based software for conducting systematic reviews and meta-analyses, Covidence, will be presented and demonstrated. The Covidence program allows for screening and full-text review of references by multiple reviewers. Exclusion and inclusion criteria can be customized and tracked. The program assists reviewers in reaching consensus at each stage of the review. Reviewers can use Covidence to perform quality assessments of studies and extraction of data using Cochrane Collaboration (Higgins et al., 2011) risk of bias and study quality guidelines. Covidence also offers a hands-on instructional platform in doctoral education.   

Next, two completed systematic reviews will be presented which used the Covidence software and adhered to the AMSTAR/PRISMA best practices guidelines (Littell et al., 2008). The first review synthesized literature to determine psychosocial predictors of medication adherence among pediatric organ transplant recipients and their families. The review identified significant methodological and substantive gaps in this body of knowledge centering on the major contribution of transplant social workers on multidisciplinary organ transplant teams.  The second review examined evaluation results of postsecondary support programs for youth who have aged out of foster care. This review identified program services that were critical in predicting successful post-secondary educational outcomes of former foster youth. Both reviews benefitted from using the software and the inclusion of multiple, simultaneous reviewers. In terms of methods, the workshop will demonstrate how each review offered unique insight into the use of systematic review technology and benefited from the use of Covidence. Important directions for social work research and practice in each substantive area will also be covered. The panel will present this information during a ninety-minute presentation leaving time for audience questions and discussion.

Systematic reviews offer social work researchers the ability to synthesize current knowledge surrounding research, practice, and policy. Rigorous and efficient reviews can be accomplished through the integration of new technologies that streamline and facilitate review procedures. The inclusion of systematic review findings can be used to provide the highest level of evidence to guide social work research and practice. The integration of emerging technology within this process will increase the feasibility, efficiency, rigor, and reach of these reviews for social work researchers and practitioners.