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Created by Alexandra Howson PhD

With a rich background in healthcare (a decade as a trauma OR nurse) and tertiary education/professional development (Universities of Edinburgh, Aberdeen, California Berkeley/Chicago), I help CME/CPD professionals create exceptional educational content.

🌐 Website
📧 email: alex@alexhowson.com
🔗 Connect with me on LinkedIn
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TypologyDescriptionUse CasesImplementation Steps
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Scoping Reviews (Hybrid)Broad exploration of a topic, including peer-reviewed literature, gray literature, expert commentary, internal data, and social/behavioral sciences insightsIdentifying gaps in knowledge or practice to inform CME/CPD interventions; providing background and rationale for educational initiatives; exploring the full scope of a topic, including clinical, behavioral, and contextual Define question and objectives; identify sources; develop search strategy; screen and select studies; chart and synthesize data; summarize findings
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Systematic ReviewsRigorous, objective synthesis of evidence from peer-reviewed literatureEvaluating effectiveness of interventions; comparing outcomes; informing evidence-based decisionsFormulate question; develop protocol; conduct search; screen and select studies; assess quality; extract and synthesize data; interpret results
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Realist ReviewsExamines complex interventions across different contexts; explores what works, for whom, and under what circumstancesUnderstanding contextual factors; identifying key mechanisms and outcomes; generating theories or causal explanationsClarify purpose and scope; develop initial theories; search for evidence; appraise quality and relevance; synthesize data; refine theories; draw conclusions
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Narrative ReviewsSubjective synthesis and interpretation of literature from a particular perspective; includes various subtypesProviding historical context; critiquing assumptions; proposing new directions; synthesizing qualitative research or integrating theoriesDefine purpose and perspective; identify sources; analyze and interpret literature; synthesize findings; offer insights or critiques; propose new directions
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Mixed Methods ReviewsCombine qualitative and quantitative evidence to provide a comprehensive understandingExploring complex questions; triangulating findings; informing multi-faceted interventionsDevelop protocol; identify sources; appraise quality; extract and synthesize data; integrate qualitative and quantitative findings; draw conclusions
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Rapid ReviewsStreamlined approach to synthesizing evidence in a timely mannerInforming urgent decisions or policy; responding to emerging trends; providing preliminary assessmentsDefine question and scope; identify sources; appraise quality; synthesize evidence; report findings
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Umbrella ReviewsSynthesize evidence from multiple systematic reviews on a related topicIdentifying areas of consensus or disagreement; highlighting gaps or limitations; informing prioritization of research or initiativesDefine question; search for systematic reviews; appraise quality; extract and synthesize findings; identify gaps and limitations; draw conclusions
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Qualitative Evidence SynthesesSynthesize findings from qualitative studies to generate new insights or theoriesExploring experiences, perceptions, or attitudes; identifying barriers and facilitators; developing conceptual frameworks or theoriesDefine question; search for qualitative studies; appraise quality; extract and synthesize findings; generate insights or theories; report conclusions
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Living ReviewsContinuously updated reviews that incorporate new evidence as it becomes availableTracking the evolution of a rapidly-changing field; providing up-to-date guidance; identifying emerging trends or innovationsDefine question and scope; develop protocol; conduct initial search and synthesis; establish update schedule; incorporate new evidence; revise conclusions
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Source Materials
MaggioLA,Anita Samuel, PhD; Elizabeth Stellrecht, MLS.Systematic Reviews in Medical Education.J Grad Med Educ.2022;14;2:171–175.
Maggio LA, Costello JA, Norton C, Driessen EW, Artino AR Jr. Knowledge syntheses in medical education: a bibliometric analysis. Perspect Med Educ. 2021; 10 (2): 79– 87.
Parker R, Sikora L. Literature reviews: key considerations and tips from knowledge synthesis librarians. J Grad Med Educ. 2022; 14 (1): 32– 35.
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