Systematic reviews in social policy: To go forward, do we first need to look back?

Pearson, Mark

Abstract

This article argues that the development of systematic review methods for social policy and practice in the UK has been inhibited in two ways. First, there has been insufficient engagement with the breadth of Donald Campbell's thought on research methods and knowledge cumulation. To this end, the article outlines the contribution that a fuller understanding of Donald Campbell's work could make to the development of such methods. Second, debates about the merits of systematic review methods have often shown only a partial understanding of other approaches. The article thus seeks to identify key areas of commonality and difference between approaches to systematic reviews with a view to stimulating methodological development through constructive debate.

Citation

Pearson, M. (2007). Systematic reviews in social policy: To go forward, do we first need to look back?. Evidence and Policy, 3(4), 505-526. https://doi.org/10.1332/174426407782516448

• Journal Article Type: Review
• Acceptance Date: Jun 4, 2007
• Online Publication Date: Nov 1, 2007
• Publication Date: Nov 19, 2007
• Deposit Date: Jul 27, 2018
• Print ISSN: 1744-2648
• Publisher: Policy Press
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 3
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 505-526
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1332/174426407782516448
• Keywords: Donald Campbell; Evidence based policy and practice; Systemic reviews
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/951779
• Publisher URL: https://www.ingentaconnect.com/contentone/tpp/ep/2007/00000003/00000004/art00004