Sports Research Review No. 160

Author:Ke-Tsung Han
Period/Date/Page:No. 159 (2021 / 12 / 31) , P1 - 24
DOI:10.6162/SRR.202112_(159).0001
An Introductory Review of the Umbrella Review
Abstract:Some scholars assert that conducting a synthesis of evidence from existing systematic reviews (an approach referred to as an umbrella review) is the research method with the highest level of evidence. At present, however, it seems there is no sufficient Chinese-language introduction to this subject in Taiwan. Therefore, the purpose of this article is to integrate the latest literature, including updated versions of Joanna Briggs Institute Reviewers' Manual, Cochrane Collaboration, and the versions of three other scholars, to provide an introductory overview of the most timely and comprehensive information about the umbrella review method. This article introduces the content, steps, and methods for conducting the umbrella review: beforehand (rationale for conducting review, team organization, scope/objective, variable definitions, and protocol), ongoing (title and author, question development, introduction, review questions, inclusion criteria, search strategies, study selection, data collection, methodological quality assessment, data summary, finding reports, and limitations), and after completion (report). In addition, two specific umbrella reviews ("Physical Activity and Academic Achievement" and "Perspectives on the Integration of Students with Disabilities in Physical Education") are used as examples of tabular presentation of the results of the quantitative and qualitative analyses relevant to sports research. In conclusion, it is hoped that various disciplines will soon begin utilizing this method, making optimal decisions based on synthesized evidence, and formulating the most effective practical guidelines. (Full text)


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