Government Social Research
Describing studies involves systematically asking questions of each full study using the data extraction form, and then ‘coding’ the information collected. This allows:
For mapping: providing a description of each study to build up a map of the research field. This will provide an initial map of the available studies, prior to the critical appraisal stage.
For synthesis: providing information to enable synthesis such as how studies were undertaken for quality and relevance appraisal; the study findings; and reporting on aspects of individual studies (coding information for synthesis is sometimes called data extraction).
The coding strategy may specify that information is to be recorded using open text boxes or through pre-set categories to be ‘ticked’. In order to ensure rigour in extracting information for mapping and synthesis the process often involves two people working through the strategies independently. Differences between the two researchers are then resolved, resulting in a final, agreed version.
The information from each study needs to be recorded in a data extraction form. Studies are described in a standardised way in the data collection phase of the REA. Rather than developing a standardised strategy for each REA, it is more usual to adopt an existing one and make minor adjustments to it for the specific needs of the REA.
Below is an example of the data extraction form used by the EPPI-Centre for systematic reviews. The tool allows researchers to identify, extract and code information about each individual research study. The complete tool is too detailed to be used in an REA but can be adapted to suit your needs. You will need to decide which questions in the data extraction form are most important to collect for your specific REA. There is also an additional form with questions that can be used for describing economic studies. The questions can be put into an Excel spreadsheet to keep all the data from the studies in one document.