Article type
Abstract
Background
Evidence syntheses are crucial for evidence-based health care: They inform clinical practice guidelines, policies, and decision-making. It is imperative that researchers use the available guidance for conducting robust evidence syntheses that are trustworthy and reliable and understand which methodological approach is most appropriate for their research question.
The consequences of substandard reviews extend beyond academic concerns, potentially leading to significant implications for health care practice. As the volume of evidence syntheses continues to increase, concerns regarding their methodological integrity and the ensuing reliability of synthesized evidence have become increasingly salient.
Despite the availability of guidance for conducting robust evidence syntheses, a gap persists in the effective utilization of methodologies. Addressing this gap requires efforts to enhance awareness, promote education, and advocate the use of freely available resources to support the adoption of appropriate methodologies.
Objectives
To examine the impact of a digital media campaign to influence researchers' awareness of methodologies for diverse evidence syntheses in health care, as evidenced by changes in viewing and downloading behaviors of journal articles and critical appraisal tools, visits to educational resources, and engagement with an online manual for evidence synthesis.
Methods
A case study design was used for an abductive mixed-methods analysis of a 30-day digital media campaign in 2023 that aimed to engage researchers to educate and advocate the use of methodological guidance for diverse evidence syntheses.
Results
The results of this study show a significant increase in the number of views and downloads of journal articles, critical appraisal tools, and an online manual for evidence synthesis compared with pre-and postcampaign, in addition to increased engagement on social media.
The results demonstrate the value of accessible resources and educational initiatives developed and/or promoted during the digital media campaign in empowering researchers to make informed decisions regarding methodological approaches in evidence synthesis, ultimately contributing to the advancement of evidence-based health care practices.
Conclusion
This case study underscores the value of targeted digital media campaigns in promoting awareness and/or use of methodologies for evidence syntheses and highlights the potential for such initiatives to positively influence research practices for evidence-based health care to improve patient outcomes.
Evidence syntheses are crucial for evidence-based health care: They inform clinical practice guidelines, policies, and decision-making. It is imperative that researchers use the available guidance for conducting robust evidence syntheses that are trustworthy and reliable and understand which methodological approach is most appropriate for their research question.
The consequences of substandard reviews extend beyond academic concerns, potentially leading to significant implications for health care practice. As the volume of evidence syntheses continues to increase, concerns regarding their methodological integrity and the ensuing reliability of synthesized evidence have become increasingly salient.
Despite the availability of guidance for conducting robust evidence syntheses, a gap persists in the effective utilization of methodologies. Addressing this gap requires efforts to enhance awareness, promote education, and advocate the use of freely available resources to support the adoption of appropriate methodologies.
Objectives
To examine the impact of a digital media campaign to influence researchers' awareness of methodologies for diverse evidence syntheses in health care, as evidenced by changes in viewing and downloading behaviors of journal articles and critical appraisal tools, visits to educational resources, and engagement with an online manual for evidence synthesis.
Methods
A case study design was used for an abductive mixed-methods analysis of a 30-day digital media campaign in 2023 that aimed to engage researchers to educate and advocate the use of methodological guidance for diverse evidence syntheses.
Results
The results of this study show a significant increase in the number of views and downloads of journal articles, critical appraisal tools, and an online manual for evidence synthesis compared with pre-and postcampaign, in addition to increased engagement on social media.
The results demonstrate the value of accessible resources and educational initiatives developed and/or promoted during the digital media campaign in empowering researchers to make informed decisions regarding methodological approaches in evidence synthesis, ultimately contributing to the advancement of evidence-based health care practices.
Conclusion
This case study underscores the value of targeted digital media campaigns in promoting awareness and/or use of methodologies for evidence syntheses and highlights the potential for such initiatives to positively influence research practices for evidence-based health care to improve patient outcomes.