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:
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.