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Table 2 Distribution of reviews by reviewer, setting, and method of data synthesis

From: Missing the forest (plot) for the trees? A critique of the systematic review in tobacco control

Synthesis Method*

Setting**

N (%)

 

Clinical

Clinical System

Community

Mixed

All

COCHRANE

     

Meta-analysis

17 (89)

1 (50)

3 (23)

9 (75)

30

Median

0 (0)

0 (0)

0 (0)

0 (0)

0

Narrative

2 (11)

1 (50)

10 (77)

3 (25)

16

All levels

19 (100)

2 (100)

13 (100)

12 (100)

46

GUIDE

     

Meta-analysis

0.0 (0)

0 (0)

0 (0)

0 (0)

0

Median

0.0 (0)

5 (100)

10 (83.3)

1 (100)

16

Narrative

0.0 (0)

0 (0)

2 (16.7)

0 (0)

2

All levels

0.0 (0)

5 (100)

12 (100)

1 (100)

18

  1. * Synthesis Method: Meta-analysis (indicating a pooled statistic), calculation of the median (median of effect sizes taken without any accompanying p-value), or narrative.
  2. ** Setting: Clinical (interventions aimed at individuals in a clinical setting), Clinical system (interventions involving the healthcare system, such as subsidies for cessation medications or provider training), Community, or Mixed (included trials involving interventions in two or more of the above).