A systematic review comprehensively and methodically reviews published evidence on a specific research question, using clearly defined, reproducible methods to find, select, and critically evaluate relevant primary research as well as gather and analyze data.
Beginning a systematic review requires developing a research question regarding the effects of a certain medical or therapeutic intervention on a certain population. One would then use the research question to develop a search strategy to find all of the extant literature related to the research question. The search is then replicated in multiple databases so that all of the relevant literature can be gathered.
The process of conducting a systematic review permits researchers in the field of music therapy to thoroughly appraise all of the extant literature that relates to a specific clinical problem. In this way, music therapists are able to become well versed in the relevant literature in order to make evidence-based decisions in both research and music-therapy practice. It also serves to synthesize literature from music publications and literature from non-music publications to create a cohesive knowledge base.
Systematic reviews are long-term research endeavors that should not be attempted in one semester or by one researcher. A good systematic review requires at least two researchers and at least one year.