Cookies?
Library Header Image
LSE Research Online LSE Library Services

Challenges in multidisciplinary systematic reviewing: a study on social exclusion and mental health policy

Curran, Claire, Burchardt, Tania ORCID: 0000-0003-4822-4954, Knapp, Martin ORCID: 0000-0003-1427-0215, McDaid, David ORCID: 0000-0003-0744-2664 and Li, Bingqin (2007) Challenges in multidisciplinary systematic reviewing: a study on social exclusion and mental health policy. Social Policy and Administration, 41 (3). pp. 215-319. ISSN 0144-5596

Full text not available from this repository.

Identification Number: 10.1111/j.1467-9515.2007.00553.x

Abstract

In the clinical sciences, systematic reviews have proved useful in the aggregation of diverse sources of evidence. They identify, characterize and summate evidence, but these methodologies have not always proved suitable for the social sciences. We discuss some of the practical problems faced by researchers undertaking reviews of complex and cross-disciplinary topics, using the example of mental health and social exclusion. The barriers to carrying out social science and cross-disciplinary reviews are reported and some proposals for overcoming these barriers are made, not all of them tried and tested, and some of them controversial. Using a mapping approach, a wide-ranging search of both clinical and social science databases was undertaken and a large volume of references was identified and characterized. Population sampling techniques were used to manage these references. The challenges encountered include: inconsistent definitions of social phenomena, differing use of key concepts across research fields and practical problems relating to database compatibility and computer processing power. The challenges and opportunities for social scientists or multidisciplinary research teams carrying out reviews are discussed. Literature mapping and systematic reviews are useful tools but methods need to be tailored to optimize their usefulness in the social sciences.

Item Type: Article
Official URL: http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/loi/SPOL
Additional Information: © 2007 Blackwell Publishing
Divisions: Social Policy
Personal Social Services Research Unit
LSE Health
Subjects: H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General)
H Social Sciences > HV Social pathology. Social and public welfare. Criminology
R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine
Date Deposited: 05 Feb 2008
Last Modified: 04 Jan 2024 21:15
URI: http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/id/eprint/3294

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item