The Global Evidence Mapping Initiative: Scoping research in broad topic areas

BMC Medical Research Methodology, 2011 · DOI: 10.1186/1471-2288-11-92 · Published: June 17, 2011

Research Methodology & Design Brain Injury

Simple Explanation

Evidence mapping gives an overview of research in broad topic areas. It can help to identify gaps in the research and also guide future research efforts. The Global Evidence Mapping (GEM) Initiative was created to provide evidence maps of research in Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Spinal Cord Injury (SCI). The GEM evidence mapping method has three core tasks. These include setting the boundaries, searching for and selecting relevant studies, and reporting on the characteristics of the studies. GEM Initiative evidence maps have a broad range of potential end-users including funding agencies, researchers and clinicians. Evidence mapping is at least as resource-intensive as systematic reviewing.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

Patients, carers, clinicians, researchers and policymakers

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
The study identified one hundred and twenty-nine researchable clinical questions in TBI and SCI. These questions were then prioritised into high (n = 60) and low (n = 69) importance by the stakeholders involved in question development.
2
Since 2007, 58 263 abstracts have been screened, 3 731 full text articles have been reviewed and 1 644 relevant neurotrauma publications have been mapped, covering fifty-three high priority questions.
3
GEM Initiative evidence maps have a broad range of potential end-users including funding agencies, researchers and clinicians. Evidence mapping is at least as resource-intensive as systematic reviewing.

Research Summary

The Global Evidence Mapping (GEM) Initiative was established to create evidence maps providing an overview of existing research in Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Spinal Cord Injury (SCI). The GEM evidence mapping method involved three core tasks: setting the boundaries and context of the map, searching for and selection of relevant studies, and reporting on yield and study characteristics. GEM Initiative evidence maps have a broad range of potential end-users including funding agencies, researchers and clinicians. Evidence mapping complements other review methods for describing existing research, informing future research efforts, and addressing evidence gaps.

Practical Implications

Informing Research Funding

Funding agencies can use evidence maps to identify completed/ongoing studies in a topic area, aiding in the evaluation of the need for further funded research.

Informing Research Decisions

Researchers can use evidence maps to inform research decisions and designs by identifying evidence gaps and relevant studies.

Rapid Access to Research Information

Clinicians can use evidence maps to quickly access research information pertaining to specific populations and interventions.

Study Limitations

1
Evidence maps cannot be used to guide clinical practice.
2
Evidence mapping does not purport to guide clinical practice, as the studies in the GEM Initiative evidence maps have not been subject to quality appraisal or had their results synthesised.
3
The GEM evidence resource predominantly contains maps pertaining to interventions.

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