Synthesis without meta-analysis (SWiM) in systematic reviews: reporting guideline
2020/01/16 by Mhairi Campbell, Joanne E. McKenzie, Amanda Sowden +9 · 64 citations
Decision Sciences · Health Professions · Social Sciences · #Delphi Technique in Research #Health Policy Implementation Science #Meta-analysis and systematic reviews
paper · doi:10.1136/bmj.l6890
openalex publication_date 2020/01/16 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/30
Abstract
In systematic reviews that lack data amenable to meta-analysis, alternative synthesis methods are commonly used, but these methods are rarely reported. This lack of transparency in the methods can cast doubt on the validity of the review findings. The Synthesis Without Meta-analysis (SWiM) guideline has been developed to guide clear reporting in reviews of interventions in which alternative synthesis methods to meta-analysis of effect estimates are used. This article describes the development of the SWiM guideline for the synthesis of quantitative data of intervention effects and presents the nine SWiM reporting items with accompanying explanations and examples.
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