Welcome To The Joanna Briggs Institute

The Joanna Briggs Institute International Evidence Synthesis Network

The Joanna Briggs Institute international JBI Evidence Synthesis Network (ESN) is a coordinated body of systematic reviewers from around the world. Linked to the Joanna Briggs Institute Collaboration – over 20 Collaborating Evidenced Based Practice Centres located in Europe, Africa, Asia, the Americas and Australia and Oceania – the ESN is made up of Evidence Synthesis Groups (ESG) and is coordinated through the leadership of the Joanna Briggs Institute. The ESN and ESG contribute to the work of JBI and JBI Collaborating Centres by conducting and publishing JBI Systematic Reviews.

Evidence Synthesis Groups

Evidence Synthesis Groups are self-governing, self-funding collaborators who accept the terms of the JBI Letter of Agreement. Evidence Synthesis Groups must consist of at least three members who are graduates with research training. All members must have successfully completed a JBI Comprehensive Systematic Review Training Program and one member of the group must be named as Group Convener. Evidence Synthesis Groups conduct Systematic Reviews following the JBI approach (or, in the case of reviews and effectiveness, the approach adopted by the Cochrane Collaboration).

The Systematic Review as a Legitimate Research Activity

The systematic review of evidence is a formal, well recognised research activity that requires training and experience in research. Frequently referred to as “secondary research”, the systematic review involves the appraisal, extraction and synthesis of processed data; that is, of data collected and analysed by primary researchers. Primary research involves the design and conduct of a study, including the collection of primary data from patients and clients and its analysis and interpretation. The systematic review also collects and analyses data, but from published and unpublished reports of completed research. Thus, the systematic reviewer uses secondary sources of data. As in any research endeavor, the systematic review requires the development of a proposal or protocol and/or rigorous process of data collection, analysis and interpretation. Systematic reviews are increasingly becoming accepted as legitimate evidence of scholarship and are accepted as appropriate in fulfilling the requirements for the completion of research degrees in that the synthesis of secondary data can be seen to be an original contribution to knowledge.

Establishing a Research Program that Focuses on the Synthesis of International Evidence

Nursing, allied health and medical academics in universities and colleges are increasingly required to engage in research and to demonstrate scholarship through adding to the knowledge base of their field and through generating research outputs such as refereed publications. Rigorously designed and executed systematic reviews of evidence are credible examples of scholarly research and are published in most high impact, refereed journals across the health sciences field.
Concentrated research effort by working in groups with cognate interests and expertise is now a well known strategy to maximize research effort and output. The dominance of empirical clinical research (with the high resource, time and ethical demands required) and the relative obscurity of meta-analysis and meta-synthesis in research discourses has given rise to an increase in small scale primary research studies that contribute little to knowledge or science; a growth in the number of academics struggling to become active and productive (in terms of publication) researchers. Additionally, a large proportion of current research activity in the academic sector internationally fails to address the needs of patients/clients or of practitioners.
A program of research that focuses on rigorous evidence review obviates the need for the extensive resource demands of clinical studies; makes a practical contribution to practice and health outcomes; and leads to recognised research output such as refereed publications. The systematic review process requires high levels of research expertise from diverse research traditions and provides a framework for establishing a team-based, programmatic approach to research and scholarship.

Evidence Synthesis Groups benefit from being part of the ES Network in a number of ways:

They are officially and publicly recognised as a member of the Joanna Briggs Evidence Synthesis Network;
They are associated with an established JBI Collaborating Centre
Group members are eligible to apply to become a Joanna Briggs Institute Affiliate
Group members have access to a 30% discount for all Joanna Briggs Institute resources and training programs
Groups are provided with a web presence within the Joanna Briggs Institute web site at http://www.joannabriggs.edu.au
Systematic Reviews conducted by the Evidence Synthesis Group that have undergone JBI peer review at the protocol stage are (subject to blind peer review) published in the
International Journal of Evidence Based Healthcare published by Blackwell Publishing;
The Evidence Synthesis Group is eligible to submit tenders to the Joanna Briggs Institute whenever a call-for-tenders to conduct externally funded reviews is required.

The Joanna Briggs Institute confers the title of Affiliate on persons who are not members of staff of the Joanna Briggs Institute and who participate in evidence reviews, program development, teaching or research. JBI Affiliates are entitled to use the title conferred and receive the following benefits

Electronic subscription to the International Journal of Evidence-based
Health Care published by Blackwell Publishing during the term of appointment
Electronic access to Evidence in Health Care Reports;
Open access to all Best Practice Information Sheets through the Institute's Web page
Access to view the RAPid library Database

Establishing an Evidence Synthesis Group

JBI may approve the establishment of an ESG by a suitable group, of at least three people who are graduates with research training and who have successfully completed the JBI Comprehensive Systematic Review Training Program. A Group approved by JBI is required to sign a Letter of Agreement. It is then able to access the resources of The Joanna Briggs Institute and to be publicly known as the, “(Name) JBI Evidence Synthesis Group”. An Evidence Synthesis Group is required to conduct no less than one Joanna Briggs Institute Systematic Review every two years.

JBI Evidence Synthesis Network Meetings

The JBI Evidence Synthesis Network meets every two years at the Joanna Briggs Institute EBHC Convention. The meeting includes opportunities for networking; updates on evidence review; JBI SUMARI methodology developments; free-paper presentations by Groups; and a business meeting to discuss matters related to the governance and activities of the network.
Are You and Your Colleagues Interested in Establishing an Evidence Synthesis Group?

Contact the Joanna Briggs Institute to find out about JBI Comprehensive Systematic Review Training Programs (soon to be available in all JBI Centres, not only in Adelaide, Australia) and the International Evidence Synthesis Network and Evidence Synthesis Groups. If you are already trained in, and using, JBI SUMARI and are ready to become an ESG, formal applications are submitted to the Executive Director using the ESG Application form.

If you need help with the application process contact Vanessa Scott