Table 1. Summary of the features and differences between SOLES, evidence gap maps and living SRs.
| SOLES | Evidence gap maps | Living systematic review | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Systematic search | Broad domain-specific search terms | Search terms tailored to a broad research area or question. | Narrower search terms, tailored to a specific research question |
| Eligibility criteria | Broad inclusion criteria including all experiments of relevance to research domain | Inclusion criteria focusing on a particular research question or area, typically include SRs on the topic | Narrower inclusion criteria, focusing on a particular population, intervention and/or outcome |
| Data annotation | Prioritised annotation of major PICO elements, study quality indicators and other measures (including transparency of reporting) | Prioritised annotation of major PICO elements and study quality indicators | In-depth annotation of all PICO elements, study quality indicators, study design characteristics and other metadata |
| Meta-analysis | Not currently a feature | In most cases, not appropriate | May be conducted in the context of systematic review if appropriate |
| Output | An online dashboard with several interactive visual summaries of the latest evidence | A visual overview of evidence (i.e., interventions and outcomes) relevant to research question or area | A detailed synthesis and evaluation of evidence related to a pre-defined, narrow research topic often in the form of a scientific publication |
| Use cases | Used to gain a high-level overview of a research domain, to identify heavily studied areas or gaps in knowledge, to benchmark quality and transparency measures and to serve as a starting point for more detailed SRs on narrower topics | Used to gain a high-level overview of a research question, to identify heavily studied areas or gaps in knowledge | Used to make decisions regarding future research (evidence-based research), and to inform policy and practice |
| Updates | Updated continuously in response to emerging evidence (e.g., daily or weekly) | Updated frequently (as described in an individual protocol) | Updated frequently (as described in an individual living systematic review protocol) |
Abbreviation: PICO: Population, Intervention, Comparator and Outcome.