Evidence & Policy
A journal of research, debate and practice

Issues in conducting and disseminating brief reviews of evidence

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Philip C. AbramiCentre for the Study of Learning and Performance, Concordia University,Montreal, Canada

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Eugene BorokhovskiCentre for the Study of Learning and Performance, Concordia University,Montreal, Canada

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Robert M. BernardCentre for the Study of Learning and Performance, Concordia University,Montreal, Canada

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C. Anne WadeCentre for the Study of Learning and Performance, Concordia University,Montreal, Canada

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Rana TamimCentre for the Study of Learning and Performance, Concordia University,Montreal, Canada

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Tonje PerssonCentre for the Study of Learning and Performance, Concordia University,Montreal, Canada

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Edward Clement BethelCentre for the Study of Learning and Performance, Concordia University,Montreal, Canada

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Katherine HanzCentre for the Study of Learning and Performance, Concordia University,Montreal, Canada

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Michael A. SurkesCentre for the Study of Learning and Performance, Concordia University,Montreal, Canada

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A brief review of evidence is limited in time and/or scope compared to a comprehensive review. However, brief reviews are important not only in meeting the needs of policy makers and practitioners, but also in providing students and researchers with an overview of the evidence. In this paper we summarise and evaluate alternative methods for brief reviews, including: using strict inclusion criteria; reviewing only a sample of evidence and eliminating or reducing steps in the review process. We examine a sample of brief reviews and found that the majority did not meet the methodological standards of comprehensive reviews. We conclude by recommending some methodological standards for brief reviews.

Philip C. AbramiCentre for the Study of Learning and Performance, Concordia University,Montreal, Canada

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Eugene BorokhovskiCentre for the Study of Learning and Performance, Concordia University,Montreal, Canada

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Robert M. BernardCentre for the Study of Learning and Performance, Concordia University,Montreal, Canada

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C. Anne WadeCentre for the Study of Learning and Performance, Concordia University,Montreal, Canada

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Rana TamimCentre for the Study of Learning and Performance, Concordia University,Montreal, Canada

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Tonje PerssonCentre for the Study of Learning and Performance, Concordia University,Montreal, Canada

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Edward Clement BethelCentre for the Study of Learning and Performance, Concordia University,Montreal, Canada

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Katherine HanzCentre for the Study of Learning and Performance, Concordia University,Montreal, Canada

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Michael A. SurkesCentre for the Study of Learning and Performance, Concordia University,Montreal, Canada

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Portions of this paper were presented at the Annual Colloquium of the International Campbell Collaboration in Oslo, Norway, May 2009.

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