FAQ - What is the Campbell Collaboration?

Answer

The Campbell Collaboration (C2) helps people make well-informed decisions by preparing, maintaining and disseminating systematic reviews in education, crime and justice, and social welfare.

The Campbell Collaboration is an international research network that produces systematic reviews of the effects of social interventions.  Campbell is based on voluntary cooperation among researchers of a variety of backgrounds. Campbell's strategic and policy making body is the Steering Group.

Campbell currently has five Coordinating Groups: Social Welfare, Crime and Justice, Education, Methods, and the Users group. The Coordinating Groups are responsible for the production, scientific merit, and relevance of our systematic reviews. They provide editorial services and support to review authors. Each Coordinating Group has two representatives on the Steering Group.

What is the purpose of a systematic review?

The purpose of a systematic review is to sum up the best available research on a specific question. This is done by synthesizing the results of several studies.

A systematic review uses transparent procedures to find, evaluate and synthesize the results of relevant research. Procedures are explicitly defined in advance, in order to ensure that the exercise is transparent and can be replicated. This practice is also designed to minimize bias.

Studies included in a review are screened for quality, so that the findings of a large number of studies can be combined. Peer review is a key part of the process; qualified independent researchers control the author's methods and results.

A systematic review must have:

• Clear inclusion/ exclusion criteria
• An explicit search strategy
• Systematic coding and analysis of included studies
• Meta-analysis (where possible)

How do Campbell systematic reviews differ from other systematic reviews?

• Campbell reviews must include a systematic search for unpublished reports (to avoid publication bias).
• Campbell reviews are usually international in scope.
• A protocol (project plan) for the review is developed in advance and undergoes peer review.
• Study inclusion and coding decisions are accomplished by at least two reviewers who work independently and compare results.
• Campbell reviews undergo peer review and editorial review.

Last updated: 04 July 2011