Learning Resources for Medicine: Search Databases: Cochrane Library

Cochrane Reviews represent the highest level of evidence on which to base clinical decisions. This evidence is gathered by bringing together the research which looks at the effectiveness of different health care treatments and interventions. Cochrane Reviews attempt to provide answers to the following questions:

• How do you know if one health care treatment or intervention is any better than another?
• Will the intervention do more good than harm?
• How can health professionals and consumers make sense of all the research going on around the world?

Terminology relevant to the Cochrane Library

Protocol - plan or set of steps to be followed in preparation of a study

Systematic Reviews - overviews in clinical medicine which were originally summaries of relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs), 

Meta-Analyses - systematic reviews which employ a quantitative method to summarize results.

Reference:
Churchill Livingstone's Dictionary of Nursing (2006) Elsevier Health Sciences, Philadelphia, PA, [Accessed: 19 February2014]. Available at: http://www.credoreference.com/entry/6776144/

Cochrane Library provides access to reliable information compiled by the Cochrane Collaboration, an international network of individuals and institutions committed to preparing, maintaining, and disseminating systematic, up-to-date reviews of the effects of health care.