Grant: Operating Grant

Background: Rapid reviews (RRs) are a type of literature review produced using accelerated, and/or abbreviated systematic review (SR) methods. RRs have emerged as a tool to get evidence to decision makers quickly, involve few resources, and may save money. However, little research has been done on when and how to conduct them, and what issues in using this approach could potentially impact the results. We know several organizations globally are doing RRs but few of these have been published, are publicly available, and have not been closely scrutinized. Also, several funding bodies require SRs to justify funding requests for new research. However, it is not always feasible to do a traditional SR in advance of a funding application due to lack of resources. This is where RRs could play an important role. Scope of research: Our aim is to establish a research program to develop best practices for RRs. There will be five, related research components to this program: 1) Determine the characteristics of an extensive sample of RRs, and how they map back to well-known tools for SRs; 2) Develop a widely accepted definition of what defines a RR and sets it apart from other knowledge synthesis tools; 3) Develop an online, open access, process flowchart for how to carry out a RR; 4) Develop a revised version of a well-known SR reporting to tool to make it specific to RRs (PRISMA-RR); and 5) Explore how helpful RRs are to various national health research funding processes. Methods: We will be using a variety of research design methods tailored to each of the 5 projects. Benefits of this research: This innovative research program provides much needed empirical work which will serve to establish a clearer understanding of RRs in general; will generate new methods tools; and will provide baseline information on their use by funding agencies. This research is centered on the efficient use of limited resources, and strengthening policy relevance of rapid evidence syntheses.