Why checklists?

When we think about flying, it is obvious why a checklist is used before take off. Airplanes are complex machines. Things can go wrong with them, and it is preferable that problems are discovered on the ground. However brilliant a pilot and crew might be, most of us would prefer that they use a checklist when preparing for take off, rather than relying on memory.

The need for checklists for review articles is less obvious, but the rationale is much the same. Preparing a review is a complex process entailing many judgements. The focus of the review must be decided. Studies that are relevant to the focus of the review must be identified, selected for inclusion, and critically appraised. Information must be collected and synthesised from the relevant studies, and conclusions must be drawn. Many decisions must be made throughout this process.

It is important to go through this process systematically to avoid errors. Explicitness about how decisions were made enables others to assess how well the process protected against errors. Checklists can help those doing and using reviews to avoid important errors.

Faulty reviews may not seem as perilous as faulty airplanes. However, if people are going to …