How To Determine 'Good Science' For Systematic Literature Reviews In Clinical Research And Development

By Emily Moyers, April Purcell And Cortney Miller, Ph.D., PMP

In the realms of science and medicine, a profound comprehension of a field's historical context and fundamental discoveries is essential for generating new hypotheses and attaining deeper insights. This knowledge informs scientific research and strategic planning, especially in endeavors like pipeline development. The primary tool for exploring the existing body of knowledge, both past and present, is a systematic literature review. However, with the proliferation of for-profit journals and alternative publication avenues on the internet, establishing the optimal criteria for an impactful review has become increasingly challenging.

In a world increasingly guided by data-driven decision-making, the quality of data supporting these choices is paramount. Defining what constitutes "good" data in the realm of science and information is now a pressing question. This article aims to assess the effectiveness of commonly employed strategies for selecting publications to include in a literature review and offer guidance on best practices for evaluating publications and their data when conducting a literature review.