2.1 Reviewing Process Whenever One Reviews Or Compares Research Reports, It

2.1 REVIEWING PROCESS
Whenever one reviews or compares research reports, it is important that a clear set of criteria are established upon which the evaluations can be made. The reviewing tool to be used within this research will now be outlined and discussed to demonstrate how it was operationalised. The process has been adapted from that which was included within Brealey and Glenny (1999).
Systematic Review (Summary of Framework)
(Adapted from Brealey and Glenny 1999)

Identify the need
Rationale, background information, existing work

Formulate problem and specify objectives
Background, problem specification, objectives

Develop review protocol
Design, resources, refinement

Literature search and study retrieval
Sources, search strategy, documenting a search strategy

Assessing studies for inclusion
Defined criteria, minimising reviewer bias, tables of studies included and excluded

Assessing and grading studies
Appraising checklists, hierarchies of evidence

Extracting Data
Data collection forms, extraction methodology

Synthesizing data
Qualitative overview, quantitative synthesis

Interpreting results
Strength of evidence implications of results

Disseminating and implementing results
Methods of dissemination and implementation

2.2 RESOURCES
As a part time student undertaking this review there will be financial and time restrictions. A personal computer will be used to access the Internet and the university library because of the distance between the researchers` home base and the university campus. The local hospital library facilities will also be accessed. Additionally other sources of information, such as the South East Area Pathways User Group (SEAPUG) and various Integrated Care Pathway websites will be accessed. A university Information Literacy Study Day on Databases and Journals will be attended to improve researching skills and techniques.
2.3 SOURCES OF DATA
The methodology employed within the research will involve obtaining data from four key sources: Computerised searches, Manual searches, the Internet and Other professionals working in the field. Each of these data sources will now be considered in more detail.
2.3.1 COMPUTERISED SEARCHES
The methods used in this research will include a detailed computerised literature search. Multiple databases, both online and CDrom will be accessed to retrieve literature because they cite the majority of relevant texts.