Evidence mapping

 

An evidence map is an overview of a broad research field that describes the volume, nature and characteristics of research in that field [1].

Evidence maps address the many important questions about treatments, diagnostic tests, prognosis and cost-effectiveness in broad clinical areas such as Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).

Unlike systematic reviews, which focus on detailed appraisal and synthesis of narrowly focused questions, evidence maps collate evidence on a series of questions across the broad clinical area of interest [1-2]. Evidence maps complement systematic reviews by enabling identification and prioritisation of questions that can be informed by research evidence; highlighting the applicability of research evidence to different populations and contexts [3] and identifying important gaps [3] that can inform further primary research or systematic reviews.

The GEM Initiative is developing and refining evidence mapping methodology by:

• incorporating clinician, patient, carer and policymaker perspectives into the identification and prioritisation of relevant clinical questions;
• building on existing systematic review methods for identifying and selecting studies;
• developing an interface enabling exploration of the resulting evidence maps, which will soon be available within this website
• building a community with expertise and interest in facilitating and advancing evidence mapping.

Evidence Mapping builds on the strengths of existing methods of reviewing, organising and making available research evidence to build comprehensive inventories of all primary and ongoing studies as well as systematic reviews. In doing so, evidence mapping aims to improve the applicability of health care research for clinicians, consumers, guideline developers, educators and research agencies everywhere.

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