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Systematic reviews of research in education: aims, myths and multiple methods
Author(s) -
Gough David,
Thomas James
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
review of education
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2049-6613
DOI - 10.1002/rev3.3068
Subject(s) - systematic review , epistemology , mythology , engineering ethics , sociology , management science , political science , philosophy , engineering , medline , theology , law
Systematic reviews are still a controversial topic in some quarters, with the arguments for and against their use being well‐rehearsed. In an attempt to advance a more nuanced approach to thinking about systematic reviewing, this paper illustrates the wide range of theoretical perspectives, methodologies and purposes that underpin the vast range of systematic review approaches now available; and in the light of this picture, re‐examines some of the perennial arguments against reviews, arguing that they are often poorly targeted, based on a misreading of what systematic reviews aim to do, or simply incommensurable with the tenets that underpin academic enquiry.