National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) Practice Exam

What best describes a systematic review in the research literature?

1. A literature review of peer-reviewed articles from a set database

2. A review of multiple textbooks compiling information from a variety of authors

3. Summarizing literature from a set number of years to establish a current database of information

4. An exhaustive review of multiple databases, references sources, and conferences

The correct answer is: An exhaustive review of multiple databases, references sources, and conferences

A systematic review is a thorough and structured examination of existing research on a specific topic, which aims to identify, evaluate, and synthesize all relevant studies to address a well-defined question. The characteristic features of a systematic review include the comprehensive search from multiple databases, the use of specific criteria for selecting studies, and a rigorous methodology for data extraction and analysis. In this context, the correct choice highlights that a systematic review involves not just one source, like a single database or set of textbooks, but incorporates a wide array of information by exploring various databases, reference sources, and conference literature. This exhaustive approach helps ensure that the review captures all pertinent data and addresses potential biases or gaps in the research literature. By including diverse sources of information, the systematic review enhances the robustness and credibility of its findings, providing a clearer and more reliable summary of the available evidence. This contrasts with the other options, which focus on narrower scopes or simpler collections of information that do not meet the rigorous standards of a systematic review.