Systematic reviews begin with a clearly formulated question and use systematic and explicit methods to identify, select and critically appraise relevant research, and to collect and analyze data from the studies that are included in the review.
In simpler English: The purpose of a systematic review is to sum up the best available research on a specific question. This is done by synthesizing the results of several studies.
Statistical methods, such as meta-analysis, may or may not be used to analyze and summarize the results of the included studies.
The Cochrane Library provides full-text reviews and meta-analyses, focusing on a wide range of therapies. It also provides abstracts of randomized controlled trials. Within the Cochrane Library, the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (CDSR), is the leading resource for systematic reviews in health care. A systematic review from Cochrane is viewed as the "gold standard".
Compared to PubMed, Cochrane is a small database. I'd recommend you try a very broad search at first and then narrow down (by using limits or additional terms), only if needed.
To learn more about the Cochrane Library, click on the logo below to view a narrated presentation (feel free to skip the "Search Manager Tab" section of the presentation).
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