JBI Manual for Evidence Synthesis
Welcome to the new edition of the JBI Manual for Evidence Synthesis. This manual guides authors who wish to conduct systematic and scoping reviews following JBI methodologies. Each chapter is devoted to the synthesis of different types of evidence to address different types of clinical and policy-related questions.
JBI is an international evidence-based healthcare organisation that works with 90+ Universities, Health Facilities and NGOs (known as the JBI Collaboration) worldwide. The organisation focuses on improving health outcomes globally by producing and disseminating research evidence, software, training, resources and publications relating to evidence-based healthcare. Learn about the JBI approach to evidence-based healthcare.
JBI and its Collaborating Entities promote and support the synthesis, transfer and implementation of evidence by identifying feasible, appropriate, meaningful and effective healthcare practices to assist in the improvement of healthcare outcomes globally. One of our strengths is in the conduct of systematic reviews that reflect a broad, inclusive approach to evidence and accommodate a range of diverse questions and study designs.
The first three editions of the JBI Manual for Evidence Synthesis were published in book format, since 2017 subsequent editions have been published online.
This Manual is presented in an online wiki format to facilitate rapid inclusion of developments and updates to JBI methodologies and methods for evidence synthesis. A PDF version of the JBI Manual for Evidence Synthesis is available to download here. The PDF version is updated periodically (see date), however, it may not contain all the latest revisions to the Manual. Users are advised to cross-reference the relevant sections of the PDF with the online manual during the conduct of their review.
Links to previous versions and versions in languages other than English are also provided at the end of this manual for your reference/convenience.
What’s New in this Edition?
Every chapter in this edition is being extensively revised throughout 2024 following a new template to achieve consistency and prevent duplication of effort and material in alignment with instructions for authors prescribed by JBI Evidence Synthesis.
A new table of contents has been added for easier navigation
Each Chapter now includes a “Resources” section at the end, which includes links to additional publications, videos, and other supplementary materials.
Methodologies that have interim guidance provided through publications by JBI Methodology Groups now have an "Interim Guidance" section on the Chapter landing page.
Three chapters have been removed with links provided to external methodological guidance which has been approved for use by the JBI Scientific Committee (namely for systematic reviews of prevalence and incidence; diagnostic test accuracy and measurement properties).
New information has been included related to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, Synthesis Prioritization and Living Evidence considerations for evidence syntheses.
A new section has been added that includes methodological guidance on activity relevant to all syntheses (i.e. searching, languages other than English, knowledge user engagement, and predatory publishing).
A new section has been added that provides an overview of the development and approvals process for content published in the Manual.
Updates
This version of the JBI Manual for Evidence Synthesis includes changes that correspond to the latest methodological developments determined by JBI Methodology Groups and approved by the JBI Scientific Committee, the latest developments in the JBI SUMARI software and feedback from end users.
Permissions
Please contact jbisynthesis@adelaide.edu.au for queries regarding reproduction and other permissions.
How to cite
Aromataris E, Lockwood C, Porritt K, Pilla B, Jordan Z, editors. JBI Manual for Evidence Synthesis. JBI; 2024. Available from: https://synthesismanual.jbi.global.
ISBN: 978-0-6488488-0-6