Advancing the quality of systematic reviews
JBI Methodology Month returns
JBI Methodology Month will mark its fourth year in 2025 as a dedicated digital media campaign aimed at advancing the quality of systematic reviews.
About JBI Methodology Month
Designed for authors, students, healthcare professionals, and peer reviewers, JBI Methodology Month underscores the importance of reliable evidence to inform healthcare policy and practice. This initiative also highlights the need to adhere to rigorous methodologies for diverse types of evidence synthesis.
Diverse methodologies for diverse types of reviews
JBI methodologies are designed to synthesise different types of evidence for rigorous and robust reviews. The need for methodologies to synthesise different types of evidence arises from the complexity of the healthcare environment, and the unique knowledge needs of various stakeholders. Not all questions can be answered using evidence from RCTs. For example, while RCTs may be the best available evidence for assessing treatment effectiveness, they do not consider patient experiences, cultural considerations, or the feasibility of implementation in resource-limited settings.
JBI recognises that to answer diverse questions, diverse types of evidence are required, and considers that the best available evidence is determined by the specific clinical question being asked. For example, where empirical data is absent, insufficient, or inadequately contextualised, JBI systematic reviews of textual evidence serve as a bridge between empirical research and practical healthcare decision-making.
Helping researchers select the appropriate methodology for their review
A range of educational resources are disseminated during the digital media campaign in March to support researchers in selecting the most appropriate approach based on their research question and the available evidence. Expert knowledge is delivered through multiple formats to accommodate varied learning preferences, including JBI LIVE webinars featuring in-depth discussions, podcasts, video abstracts, blogs, and peer-reviewed papers. Infographics, YouTube Shorts, and Instagram Reels further facilitate engagement, offering accessible insights into key methodological considerations.
JBI Methodology Month leverages a broad digital presence, using social media platforms such as Bluesky, X, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and Threads, alongside YouTube, e-newsletters, wiki manuals, and dedicated websites. Through this multi-channel approach, JBI offers healthcare professionals and academics access to high-quality methodological guidance that strengthens the rigour and reliability of diverse types of evidence synthesis.
The campaign aims to help ensure that systematic reviews serve as a trustworthy source of evidence for informed decision-making by providing expert knowledge and practical guidance in accessible formats. Conceived in 2022, JBI Methodology Month runs annually from March 1-31.
We encourage healthcare professionals, academics and students who have an interest in systematic reviews to follow @JBIEBHC on social media and use the hashtag #JBIMethodology to access the latest news, ask questions and participate in discussions.
Key resources shared during Methodology Month