The use of systematic reviews when designing studies

The importance of systematic reviews in identifying gaps in the evidence base and providing a quantitative basis for informing new research initiatives is widely acknowledged, but little is known about what actually happens in practice. Our objective was to assess the use made of results of reviews in the designing of new studies.Of all Cochrane reviews published in 1996, those updated in 2002 or 2003 were identified. Authors of trials added in...