Comprehensive Evidence Synthesis Services
Evidence synthesis is the systematic process of combining findings from multiple primary studies to generate new knowledge, inform clinical decisions, and guide policy. It encompasses a family of review methodologies, each designed for specific research contexts and questions.
At Research Gold, our evidence synthesis service covers every major review type. Whether you need an umbrella review for a clinical guideline, a rapid review for a policy brief, or a narrative review to contextualize your primary research, our PhD methodologists deliver rigorous, publication-ready work following established methodological frameworks.
Review Types We Offer
Systematic Review
Our flagship service. A systematic review follows Cochrane Handbook methodology (Higgins et al., 2023) with PRISMA 2020 reporting (Page et al., 2021). Includes protocol development, comprehensive search, dual-reviewer screening, risk of bias assessment, and narrative or quantitative synthesis.
Learn more about our systematic review service
Meta-Analysis
Quantitative pooling of effect sizes using R or Stata. Includes forest plots, funnel plots, heterogeneity assessment, subgroup analyses, meta-regression, GRADE tables, and fully reproducible code. Available standalone or bundled with a systematic review.
Learn more about our meta-analysis service
Scoping Review
Evidence mapping using JBI methodology and PRISMA-ScR guidelines (Tricco et al., 2018). Ideal for exploring broad topics, identifying evidence gaps, and informing future research priorities.
Learn more about our scoping review service
Umbrella Review
An umbrella review (also known as a review of reviews) synthesizes the findings of multiple systematic reviews on a related topic. It provides a high-level overview of the evidence landscape and is commonly used for clinical guidelines and health technology assessments. We follow the JBI methodology for umbrella reviews and apply AMSTAR 2 to assess the quality of included reviews.
Rapid Review
A rapid review uses streamlined systematic review methods to deliver findings within a compressed timeline, typically 2-4 weeks. It may use simplified search strategies, single-reviewer screening, or narrative synthesis instead of meta-analysis. Rapid reviews are commonly requested for policy decisions, organizational planning, and time-sensitive clinical questions.
Narrative Review
A narrative review provides a comprehensive, qualitative summary of the literature on a topic without the strict systematic methodology of a systematic review. While less rigorous for answering specific clinical questions, narrative reviews are valuable for introducing a topic, providing context in a discussion section, or supporting editorial commentary.
Living Systematic Review
A living systematic review is continually updated as new evidence becomes available. It is particularly valuable for rapidly evolving fields such as infectious disease, pharmacology, and clinical trial evidence. We can set up the initial review infrastructure and provide periodic updates on an agreed schedule.