A systematic review introduction should captivate readers and clearly outline the review's purpose and scope. Here's a breakdown of how to write an effective introduction:
1. Start with a Hook
- Grab the reader's attention with a compelling statement about the topic's significance or a surprising statistic.
- Example: "Despite advancements in treatment, [disease] remains a major public health concern, affecting millions worldwide."
2. Introduce the Research Problem
- Clearly state the research problem that the review addresses.
- Example: "There is a lack of consensus on the most effective interventions for [disease]."
3. Define the Scope of the Review
- Specify the population, intervention, comparison, and outcome (PICO) of the review.
- Example: "This review will examine the effectiveness of [intervention] compared to [comparison] for [outcome] in patients with [disease]."
4. Explain the Need for the Review
- Highlight the gaps in existing knowledge that the review aims to address.
- Example: "Previous reviews have focused on [specific aspect], but there is a need for a comprehensive assessment of all available evidence."
5. Briefly Describe the Review Methodology
- Outline the search strategy, inclusion criteria, and data extraction methods used in the review.
- Example: "This review will follow the PRISMA guidelines and include studies published in English from [year] to [year]."
6. State the Review's Objectives
- Clearly state the research questions that the review aims to answer.
- Example: "This review aims to answer the following questions: [list of research questions]."
7. End with a Concise Conclusion
- Summarize the key points of the introduction and preview the structure of the remaining review.
- Example: "This review will systematically evaluate the available evidence on the effectiveness of [intervention] for [disease]. The review will be structured as follows: [brief outline of sections]."
Example Introduction:
"Despite the widespread use of [intervention] for [disease], its effectiveness remains unclear. There is a lack of consensus on the optimal approach, with conflicting results reported in previous studies. This systematic review aims to synthesize the available evidence on the effectiveness of [intervention] compared to [comparison] for [outcome] in patients with [disease]. The review will follow the PRISMA guidelines and include studies published in English from [year] to [year]. This review will address the following research questions: [list of research questions]. The review will be structured as follows: [brief outline of sections]."
