Guidelines for conducting and publishing systematic reviews in Psychology

Lucas De Francisco Carvalho,Giselle Pianowski,Manoel Antônio Dos Santos

doi:10.1590/1982-0275201936e180144

Abstract

Abstract The systematic review refers to the literature review guided by scientific methods explicitly intended to reduce bias, resulting in a synthesis of all relevant evidence for a given issue. In Brazil, specifically in Psychology, systematic review is found in the literature; however, the available studies do not always reflect the gold standard or what is expected in terms of typical systematic review procedures. The present study is structured in the form of a didactic guide, organized in topics, which should be typically contemplated in an systematic review in Psychology. The information that must be contained in each of these topics is indicated, including which procedures should be performed in the typical steps of the development of an systematic review. The present publication intends to increase the interest and investment of researchers in systematic review, providing them with information to improve the quality of systematic review in the area of Psychology in Brazil.

Highlights

To what is expected in scientific publications in psychology in general, in this topic the authors must justify the area of study in which the Systematic Review (SR) fits, as well as justify the realization of the proposal
The objective can be presented with a central focus on the systematic review (e.g., “the objective of this study was to perform an SR...”) or it can be presented with a focus on the research problem itself
Another possibility is to use the analyses of the quality of the report and risk of bias to split this section between studies with better quality and less risk of bias, and studies with more fragile data

Summary

Introduction

To what is expected in scientific publications in psychology in general, in this topic the authors must justify the area of study in which the SR fits, as well as justify the realization of the proposal. The introduction should provide the reader with clear reasons that support the authors to detect the need to perform an SR with a given focus For this purpose, the authors should consider that an SR is a tool that allows identification of the level of maturity of a research area; assists in tracing or mapping gaps in the literature; allows aggregating information to respond with less bias to a given research problem; provides support in decision-making (e.g., in professional and political activities); helps to propose future steps for 3. The objective can be presented with a central focus on the systematic review (e.g., “the objective of this study was to perform an SR...”) or it can be presented with a focus on the research problem itself In this case, the authors should explain that the SR was used as a proceeding (e.g., “the objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between personality traits and fluid intelligence, for this purpose we used an SR...”). The information presented in an SR will often be used to guide that area of study, to develop and improve public policies, to correct assessment and intervention measures, among other possible applications

Objectives

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Conclusion