3.7 Step 7: Results
In the results section, researchers/authors need to describe study
selection and the characteristics of studies found as with the process
involved in appraising those studies. Here, it is ideal to talk about
the overall studies identified, how many were examined in the context of
titles, abstracts, and other relevant characteristics such as
theory-based and non-theory papers, methodologies, etc. Where relevant,
authors need to clarify issues relating to any identified risk of bias
with individual studies. Part of this section would have also
demonstrated the application of inclusion and exclusion criteria set
above. How many papers met initial inclusion criteria, why additional
papers were later excluded, etc. The roles of authors/researchers
involved also needed to be mentioned in this section. For example, how
many authors appraised the quality of the papers.