Systematic reviews in the social sciences: a practical guide

Abstract

Reviews the book, Systematic reviews in the social sciences. A practical guide by M. Petticrew and H. Roberts (see record 2005-16245-000). When Smith and Glass (1977) presented their classic metaanalysis on the effects of psychotherapy almost 40 years ago, they launched a rapid growth in the field of integrative research in the social sciences. It has been followed by hundreds of systematic reviews on diverse fields in the social and behavioral sciences and a great deal of literature on the methods and problems of integrative research. Mark Petticrew and Helen Roberts present a further practical guide that the reviewer believes does not just restructure or update the topic but goes beyond earlier guides in both concept and design. The authors deal with the topic in a total of nine chapters (and a detailed appendix) organized in line with the temporal structure of the review process (from the research question up to the publication of the review). The reviewer suggests that the book should be seen as a valuable addition to the available literature on systematic reviews, and believes that it will secure its place on the book market through its clear and highly readable presentation of both practical guidelines and important conceptual issues on systematic reviews. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)