A bedrock of evidence is built from systematic reviews in which researchers analyze all relevant, rigorous evidence to answer a question. Cockrain and anothero spublished more than 24 thousand systematic reviews in 20 19 alone. An evident synthesis has the power to identify important conclusions about what works that would never be possible from assessing the underlying trials in isolation.
A deluge of trials has stress-tested the systems that produce evidence.
Around the world, researchers have raced to test therapies to treat COVID-19. The speed and urgency of this task has revealed both the weaknesses in the collection and use of research-based evidence, and how well-run trials have helped save lives.
This is an audio version of our feature: How COVID broke the evidence pipeline
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