Cited by 102Meta-analysis and systematic reviewsEthics in Clinical ResearchAcademic integrity and plagiarism

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 21 of the 21 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.

Ethics in systematic reviews

Vergnes, Jean-Noel, Marchal-Sixou, Christine, Nabet, Cathy, Maret, Delphine, Hamel, Olivier·2010·Journal of Medical Ethics

DOI 10.1136/jme.2010.039941

Open this paper in CoChat — free account

Abstract

Since its introduction by the Nuremberg Code and the Declaration of Helsinki, the place held by ethics in biomedical research has been continuously increasing in importance. The past 30 years have also seen exponential growth in the number of biomedical articles published. A systematic review of the literature is the scientific way of synthesising a plethora of information, by exhaustively searching out and objectively analysing the studies dealing with a given issue. However, the question of ethics in systematic reviews is rarely touched upon. This could lead to some drawbacks, as systematic reviews may contain studies with ethical insufficiencies, may be a possible way to publish unethical research and may also be prone to conflict of interest. Finally, informed consent given for an original study is not necessarily still valid at the systematic review level. There is no doubt that routine ethical assessment in systematic reviews would help to improve the ethical and methodological quality of studies in general. However, ethical issues change so much with time and location, and are so broad in scope and in context that it appears illusory to search for a universal, internationally accepted standard for ethical assessment in systematic reviews. Some simple suggestions could nevertheless be drawn from the present reflection and are discussed in the paper.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1136/jme.2010.039941

Cites

21 of 21 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Recomputing p-values needs the paper’s full text.

Claims the paper makes

This paper’s full text isn’t openly available, so its claims and self-check weren’t run. The registry and citation checks still apply.

Claims other papers make about this one

Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?

Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses: the PRISMA statement
Moher, D., Liberati, A., Tetzlaff, J., Altman, D. G., & for the PRISMA Group (2009) · BMJ · doi:10.1136/bmj.b2535 · Cited by 83,823
Preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses: the PRISMA Statement.
(2009) · PubMed Central · Cited by 44,859
Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions: Cochrane Book Series
(2008) · doi:10.1002/9780470712184 · Cited by 25,048
Meta-analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology<SUBTITLE>A Proposal for Reporting</SUBTITLE>
Stroup, D. F. (2000) · JAMA · doi:10.1001/jama.283.15.2008 · Cited by 20,623
Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) statement: guidelines for reporting observational studies.
Elm, E. V., Altman, D. G., Egger, M., Pocock, S. J., Gøtzsche, P. C., & Vandenbroucke, J. P. (2007) · BMJ · doi:10.1136/bmj.39335.541782.ad · Cited by 10,766
CONSORT 2010 Explanation and Elaboration: updated guidelines for reporting parallel group randomised trials
Moher, D., Hopewell, S., Schulz, K. F., Montori, V., Gotzsche, P. C., Devereaux, P. J., Elbourne, D., Egger, M., & Altman, D. G. (2010) · BMJ · doi:10.1136/bmj.c869 · Cited by 8,883
Towards complete and accurate reporting of studies of diagnostic accuracy: The STARD Initiative.
Bossuyt, P. M., Reitsma, J. B., Bruns, D. E., Gatsonis, C. A., Glasziou, P. P., Irwig, L. M., Lijmer, J. G., Moher, D., Rennie, D., de Vet, H. C. W., et al. (2003) · Annals of Internal Medicine · doi:10.7326/0003-4819-138-1-200301070-00010 · Cited by 3,219
Towards complete and accurate reporting of studies of diagnostic accuracy: the STARD initiative
Bossuyt, P. M., Reitsma, J. B., Bruns, D. E., Gatsonis, C. A., Glasziou, P. P., Irwig, L. M., Lijmer, J. G., Moher, D., Rennie, D., & de Vet, H. C. W. (2003) · BMJ · doi:10.1136/bmj.326.7379.41 · Cited by 3,215
Meta-analysis of individual participant data: rationale, conduct, and reporting
Riley, R. D., Lambert, P. C., & Abo-Zaid, G. (2010) · BMJ · doi:10.1136/bmj.c221 · Cited by 1,701
Enhancing the quality and transparency of health research
Groves, T. (2008) · British medical journal · doi:10.1136/bmj.a718 · Cited by 727

Show all 20 references

Research works printed but not linked: 2

National Institutes of Health. Nuremberg Code. Office of Human Subjects Research. Trials of war criminals before the Nuremberg military tribunals under Control Council Law no 10, vol 2, pp 181–182. Washington, DC: US Government Printing Office, 1949. http://ohsr.od.nih.gov/guidelines/nuremberg.html (accessed 26 Aug 2010).
10.1001/jama.286.13.1577 · DOI

Sorted by citations

Searching and synthesising ‘grey literature’ and ‘grey information’ in public health: critical reflections on three case studies
Adams, J., Hillier-Brown, F. C., Moore, H. J., Lake, A. A., Araujo-Soares, V., White, M., & Summerbell, C. (2016) · Systematic Reviews · doi:10.1186/s13643-016-0337-y · Cited by 486
“In the meantime, and as has been previously proposed, it may be judicious for researchers proposing to conduct this type of work to at least discuss it informally with their local research ethics committee before proceeding [54].”
Background
Prevalence of Hypertension in Member Countries of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC): Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Neupane, D., McLachlan, C. S., Sharma, R., Gyawali, B., Khanal, V., Mishra, S. R., Christensen, B., & Kallestrup, P. (2014) · Medicine · doi:10.1097/md.0000000000000074 · Cited by 173
“Ethical approval for systematic reviews remains a gray area.(8) We did not seek ethical approval, although we did review each article as to whether ethical approval was obtained; 54% of the articles described institution ethics approval and 54% reported that individual consent was obtained.”
Background
Integrating the United Nations sustainable development goals into higher education globally: a scoping review
Molina, Á. A., Helldén, D., Alfvén, T., Niemi, M., Leander, K., Nordenstedt, H., Rehn, C., Ndejjo, R., Wanyenze, R. K., & Biermann, O. (2023) · Global Health Action · doi:10.1080/16549716.2023.2190649 · Cited by 174
“Also, availability bias, publication bias and reporting bias [93,94] may have skewed the results.”
Publication ethics of human studies in the light of the Declaration of Helsinki – a mini-review
Sawicka‐Gutaj, N., Gruszczyński, D., Guzik, P., Mostowska, A., & Walkowiak, J. (2022) · Journal of Medical Science · doi:10.20883/medical.e700 · Cited by 137
The integrative literature review as a research method: A demonstration review of research on neurodevelopmental supportive care in preterm infants
Lubbe, W., ten Ham‐Baloyi, W., & Smit, K. (2020) · Journal of Neonatal Nursing · doi:10.1016/j.jnn.2020.04.006 · Cited by 180
Current state of ethics literature synthesis: a systematic review of reviews
Mertz, M., Kahrass, H., & Strech, D. (2016) · BMC Medicine · doi:10.1186/s12916-016-0688-1 · Cited by 82
“, methodology of literature reviews in bioethics or for ethical aspects in HTA [17, 19–21], methodologies of empirical ethics research [11] or discussions about (research) ethics in (medical) systematic reviews [22] (d) Only on full text level: not be (solely) a review of empirical literature”
Method
The impact of climate change on the risk factors for tuberculosis: A systematic review
Kharwadkar, S., Attanayake, V., Duncan, J., Navaratne, N., & Benson, J. (2022) · Environmental Research · doi:10.1016/j.envres.2022.113436 · Cited by 83
Mechanical Properties of Three-Dimensional Printed Provisional Resin Materials for Crown and Fixed Dental Prosthesis: A Systematic Review
Alzahrani, S. J., Hajjaj, M. S., Azhari, A. A., Ahmed, W. M., Yeslam, H. E., & Carvalho, R. M. (2023) · Bioengineering · doi:10.3390/bioengineering10060663 · Cited by 70
“Ethical approval was not applicable in the current study because it was exclusively based on the published literature and strictly adhered to research ethics by only using previously published studies ethically approved by original researchers [43,44].”
Method
How do authors of systematic reviews deal with research malpractice and misconduct in original studies? A cross-sectional analysis of systematic reviews and survey of their authors
Elia, N., von Elm, E. B., Chatagner, A., Pöpping, D. M., & Tramèr, M. R. (2016) · BMJ Open · doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2015-010442 · Cited by 49
Exposure to Toxoplasma gondii Through Consumption of Raw or Undercooked Meat: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Ducrocq, J., Simon, A., Lemire, M., De Serres, G., & Lévesque, B. (2021) · Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases · doi:10.1089/vbz.2020.2639 · Cited by 50
“The randomized trial portion from Desmont et al. (1965) was excluded from the meta-analysis based on ethical concerns and deﬁcient methodology, while the data from the cross-sectional portion were maintained (Vergnes et al. 2010).”
Bachelor nursing students´ and their educators´ experiences of teaching strategies targeting critical thinking: A scoping review
Westerdahl, F., Carlson, E., Wennick, A., & Borglin, G. (2022) · Nurse Education in Practice · doi:10.1016/j.nepr.2022.103409 · Cited by 51
Systematic Review on the Impact of Conditional Cash Transfers on Child Health Service Utilisation and Child Health in Sub-Saharan Africa
Onwuchekwa, C., Verdonck, K., & Marchal, B. (2021) · Frontiers in Public Health · doi:10.3389/fpubh.2021.643621 · Cited by 51
“However, during the review process, due consideration was given to the ethical conduct of included studies (24).”
Background
The promise of equal education not kept: Specific learning disabilities – The invisible disability
Gow, M. A., Mostert, Y., & Dreyer, L. M. (2020) · African Journal of Disability · doi:10.4102/ajod.v9i0.647 · Cited by 44
“According to Vergnes et al. (2010), a qualitative ‘systematic review of the literature is the scientific way of synthesising a plethora of information, by exhaustively searching out and objectively analysing the studies dealing with a given issue’ (p. 771).”
Background
Effectiveness and acceptability of cognitive-behavioural therapy based interventions for maternal peripartum depression: A systematic review, meta-analysis and thematic synthesis protocol
Pettman, D., O'Mahen, H., Skoog Svanberg, A., von Essen, L., Axfors, C., Blomberg, O., & Woodford, J. (2019) · BMJ Open · doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2019-032659 · Cited by 24
Prevalence of child maltreatment in India and its association with gender, urbanisation and policy: a rapid review and meta-analysis protocol
Fernandes, G., Fernandes, M., Vaidya, N., Souza, P. D., Plotnikova, E., Geddes, R., Holla, B., Sharma, E., Benegal, V., & Choudhry, V. (2021) · BMJ Open · doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2020-044983 · Cited by 42
Common Mechanism of Pathogenesis in Gastrointestinal Diseases Implied by Consistent Efficacy of Single Chinese Medicine Formula
Ling, W., Li, Y., Jiang, W., Sui, Y., & Zhao, H. (2015) · Medicine · doi:10.1097/md.0000000000001111 · Cited by 35
Mental health of people detained within the justice system in Africa: systematic review and meta-analysis
Lovett, A., Kwon, H. R., Kidia, K. K., Machando, D., Crooks, M., Fricchione, G. L., Thornicroft, G., & Jack, H. E. (2019) · International Journal of Mental Health Systems · doi:10.1186/s13033-019-0273-z · Cited by 36
Mentorship in nursing academia: a systematic review protocol
Nowell, L. S., White, D., Mrklas, K., & Norris, J. M. (2015) · Systematic Reviews · doi:10.1186/s13643-015-0007-5 · Cited by 27
“Systematic reviews should not ignore ethical considerations [44].”
Background
Barriers and facilitators to parent-delivered interventions for children with or infants at risk of cerebral palsy. An integrative review informed by behaviour change theory
Massey, J., Harniess, P., Chinn, D., & Robert, G. (2024) · Disability and Rehabilitation · doi:10.1080/09638288.2024.2338193 · Cited by 26
“However, studies with potential ethical ‘insufficiencies’, for example, through unclear descriptions, can be included if their findings contribute significant insights to the topic of interest [53].”
Teaching strategies and outcome assessments targeting critical thinking in bachelor nursing students: a scoping review protocol
Westerdahl, F., Carlson, E., Wennick, A., & Borglin, G. (2020) · BMJ Open · doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2019-033214 · Cited by 26
Research on teacher well-being: a systematic review
Gámez-Genovart, M., Trobat, M. F. O., & Ramón, M. R. R. (2025) · Teaching and Teacher Education · doi:10.1016/j.tate.2025.105264 · Cited by 56
Methodological and ethical challenges in studying patients’ perceptions of coercion: a systematic mixed studies review
Soininen, P., Putkonen, H., Joffe, G., Korkeila, J. A., & Valimaki, M. A. (2014) · BMC Psychiatry · doi:10.1186/1471-244x-14-162 · Cited by 23
“It has already been discovered that ethical considerations are of insufficient quality in studies [62].”
Background
Psychological interventions for depression among informal caregivers of older adult populations: protocol of a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials
Mårtensson, E., Blomberg, O., Pettman, D., Sörensdotter, R., von Essén, L., & Woodford, J. (2020) · BMJ Open · doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2019-036402 · Cited by 22
Nurses’ roles in changing practice through implementing best practices: A systematic review
ten Ham‐Baloyi, W. (2022) · Health SA Gesondheid · doi:10.4102/hsag.v27i0.1776 · Cited by 29
“In line with recommendations of Vergnes et al. (2010), participant consent was not obtained because this study had no participants.”
Result
Literature Reviews: Generative and Transformative Textual Conversations
Walker, S. (2014) · Forum qualitative Sozialforschung · doi:10.17169/fqs-16.3.2291 · Cited by 19
Politics, Power, and Influence: Defense Industries in the Post-Cold War
dos Reis, J. C. G. (2021) · Social Sciences · doi:10.3390/socsci10010010 · Cited by 19
“As systematic reviews are a synthesis of a multitude of information, an anti-plagiarism tool (Turnitin.com) was used (Wager and Wiffen 2011) to enable the identification and the validation of all the references used in this article.”
Method
The efficacy of a rubber bristles interdental cleaner on parameters of oral soft tissue health‐a systematic review‐
van der Weijden, G. A., Slot, D. E., van der Sluijs, E., & Hennequin‐Hoenderdos, N. L. (2021) · International Journal of Dental Hygiene · doi:10.1111/idh.12492 · Cited by 18
Critical care nurses’ experiences of caring for a dying child: A qualitative evidence synthesis
Grimston, M. R., Butler, A. E., & Copnell, B. (2018) · Journal of Advanced Nursing · doi:10.1111/jan.13701 · Cited by 17
Adherence to PRISMA 2020 statement assessed through the expanded checklist in systematic reviews of interventions: A meta‐epidemiological study
Ivaldi, D., Burgos, M. A., Oltra, G. V., Liquitay, C. M. E., & Garegnani, L. (2024) · Cochrane Evidence Synthesis and Methods · doi:10.1002/cesm.12074 · Cited by 22
Barriers to effective patient care as experienced by nurses in primary healthcare clinics in African countries: a systematic review of qualitative studies
Nesengani, T. V., Downing, C., & ten Ham‐Baloyi, W. (2025) · BMC Nursing · doi:10.1186/s12912-025-02877-5 · Cited by 15
“To uphold integrity [28], proper referencing of all articles was ensured.”
Prognostic prediction model for chronic postsurgical pain among adult patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Dong, Y., Zeng, H., Yang, L., Song, H., & Li, Q. (2025) · Anesthesiology and Perioperative Science · doi:10.1007/s44254-025-00093-7 · Cited by 16
Impact of competitive foods in public schools on child nutrition: effects on adolescent obesity in the United States an integrative systematic literature review
Sildén, K. E. (2018) · Global Health Action · doi:10.1080/16549716.2018.1477492 · Cited by 14
Care-experienced cHildren and young people’s Interventions to improve Mental health and wEll-being outcomes: Systematic review (CHIMES) protocol
Evans, R., Boffey, M., MacDonald, S., Noyes, J., Meléndez‐Torres, G. J., Morgan, H. E., Trubey, R., Robling, M. R., Willis, S., & Wooders, C. (2021) · BMJ Open · doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2020-042815 · Cited by 13
Ethics and Community Involvement in Syntheses Concerning American Indian, Alaska Native, or Native Hawaiian Health: A Systematic Review
Gribble, M. O., & Him, D. M. A. (2014) · AJOB Empirical Bioethics · doi:10.1080/21507716.2013.848956 · Cited by 12
“The scientific goals of primary research studies may be different from research syntheses incorporating those studies (Vergnes et al. 2010).”
Background
HIV-related stigma and the psychosocial well-being of children orphaned by AIDS: a systematic review
Yassin, Z., Erasmus, C. J., & Frantz, J. M. (2018) · Vulnerable Children and Youth Studies · doi:10.1080/17450128.2018.1457193 · Cited by 12
Effects of cardiovascular health, musculoskeletal health and physical fitness on occupational performance of firefighters: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis
Ras, J., Kengne, A. P., Smith, D. L., Soteriades, E. S., & Leach, L. L. (2022) · BMJ Open · doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2022-061435 · Cited by 12
Taxonomy of teaching methods and their use in health professions education: a scoping review protocol
Mitchell, S., Sehlbach, C., Franssen, G. H. L. M., Janczukowicz, J., & Guttormsen, S. (2024) · BMJ Open · doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2023-077282 · Cited by 13
“48 Following this best practice approach, specific information on reported ethical considerations from found published studies is included for data extraction (online supplemental file 3).”
Background
Nursing, frailty, functional decline and models of care in relation to older people receiving long-term care: a scoping review protocol
Flyum, I. R., Gjevjon, E. R., Eklund, A. J., Lærum‐Onsager, E., & Borglin, G. (2022) · BMJ Open · doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2022-061303 · Cited by 11
The efficacy of gefitinib supplementation for breast cancer
Ye, J., Tian, T., & Chen, X. (2020) · Medicine · doi:10.1097/md.0000000000022613 · Cited by 13
Prognostic implications of left ventricular strain by speckle-tracking echocardiography in population-based studies: a systematic review protocol of the published literature
Saikhan, L. A., Park, C. M., Hardy, R., & Hughes, A. D. (2018) · BMJ Open · doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2018-023346 · Cited by 10
“regarding the ethical approval or adherence to an appropriate standard (such as the Declaration of Helsinki).(40)”
Background
Literature profiling on tourism, impairment and disability issues: A future directional guide
Makuyana, T., du Plessis, E., & Chikuta, O. (2022) · African Journal of Disability · doi:10.4102/ajod.v11i0.862 · Cited by 10
“The researchers followed Vergnes et al. (2010) by grouping the codes into themes, which established a scientific way of synthesising a plethora of information after exhaustively searching and objectively analysing (reduction and exploration of text) the studies dealing with tourism–…”
Background
Do student and survey characteristics affect the quality of UK undergraduate medical education course evaluation? A systematic review of the literature
Nicolaou, M., & Atkinson, M. (2019) · Studies In Educational Evaluation · doi:10.1016/j.stueduc.2019.04.011 · Cited by 10
The Association Between HIV/AIDS, Ototoxicity of Its Treatments, and Occupational Noise Induced Hearing Loss: A Narrative Review Mapping the Existing Literature and Identifying Research Gaps
Khoza‐Shangase, K. (2025) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph22040487 · Cited by 10
Effectiveness of educational materials to prevent occupational low back pain
Shorthouse, F., Roffi, V., & Tack, C. (2016) · Occupational Medicine · doi:10.1093/occmed/kqw072 · Cited by 10
An Integrative Review of “The Pause” After Patient Death
Webb, B., Carter‐Templeton, H., & Cunningham, T. (2023) · Journal of Holistic Nursing · doi:10.1177/08980101231218366 · Cited by 8
“The methodology used for this review does not explicitly include evaluation for ethical considerations, however, the authors did assess the ethical components of the included studies, to identify and reject unethical research (Vergnes et al., 2010).”
The influence of religion or religious beliefs on parenting practices: a systematic review
Rich, E. G., Willemse, A., & Erasmus, C. J. (2024) · Vulnerable Children and Youth Studies · doi:10.1080/17450128.2024.2330986 · Cited by 8
“A systematic review of existing literature is a scientific way of synthesising a plethora of information by primarily searching out and objectively analysing the studies dealing with a given issue (Vergnes et al., 2010).”
Background
Nepali Migrant Workers and Their Occupational Health Hazards in the Workplace: A Scoping Review
Wasti, S. P., Babatunde, E., Bhatta, S., Shrestha, A., Wasti, P., & Gc, V. S. (2024) · Sustainability · doi:10.3390/su16177568 · Cited by 8
Experiences with Cling Film and Dental Dam Use in Oral Sex: A Mixed-Methods Systematic Review
Kanmodi, K. K., Egbedina, E. A., Nkhata, M. J., & Nnyanzi, L. A. (2023) · Oral · doi:10.3390/oral3020019 · Cited by 8
“However, this is a universal practice in SRs that is not limited to the present study alone.”
BackgroundMethodInfluential
Ethically Driven and Methodologically Tailored: Setting the Agenda for Systematic Reviews in Domestic Violence and Abuse
Bird, K. S., Stokes, N., Tomlinson, M., & Rivas, C. A. (2023) · Journal of Family Violence · doi:10.1007/s10896-023-00541-7 · Cited by 10
“…review guidelines or ethical discussions currently overlook issues associated with reviewer welfare (Higgins et al., 2022; such as Suri, 2020; Vergnes et al., 2010), using established strategies from primary research can ensure that secondary researchers are better protected when engaging…”
BackgroundInfluential
Effects of surgery on the patient-reported outcomes of primary hyperparathyroidism patients with mild hypercalcemia without classic symptoms: a systematic review of the literature
Horiuchi, K., Yoshida, Y., & Okamoto, T. (2019) · Surgery Today · doi:10.1007/s00595-019-01830-9 · Cited by 8
“Ethical approval Since the present study used information from published articles only and did not procure any data at the individual patient level, ethical approval was not required [44].”
Method
Measurement Properties of Wearable Kinematic-Based Data Collection Systems to Evaluate Ball Kicking in Soccer: A Systematic Review with Evidence Gap Map
Vieira, L. H. P., Clemente, F. M., Silva, R., Vargas-Villafuerte, K. R., & Carpes, F. P. (2024) · Sensors · doi:10.3390/s24247912 · Cited by 9
“…(iv) with full text available—in the English language— for download (i.e., full text download button available for the record in the respective database), and (v) describing aspects related to research ethics with human participants [47] or respective exemption to perform the investigation [48].”
Collaborative Learning through a Virtual Community of Practice in Dementia Care Support: A Scoping Review
Dedzoe, J. D.-S., Fänge, A. M., Christensen, J. M., & Lethin, C. (2023) · Healthcare · doi:10.3390/healthcare11050692 · Cited by 9
Servant Leadership Style in High Education Institutions: A Systematic Literature Review
Dul, V., Sam, R., Hak, S., Bou, D., Vy, S., & Kheuy, S. (2024) · European Journal of Contemporary Education and E-Learning · doi:10.59324/ejceel.2024.2(6).08 · Cited by 11
“However, the review process was conducted with a commitment to academic integrity, including accurate citation of sources and transparency in reporting results (Vergnes et al., 2010).”
The storycrafting method: A systematic review
Backman-Nord, P., Staffans, E., & Nyback, M.-H. (2023) · Journal of Early Childhood Education Research · doi:10.58955/jecer.v12i2.117886 · Cited by 6
Ethics reporting practices in randomized controlled trials of physical therapy interventions after stroke
Ferrarello, F., Viligiardi, M., & Bari, M. D. (2018) · Archives of Physiotherapy · doi:10.1186/s40945-018-0049-9 · Cited by 6
“The importance of ethics in clinical research has been well-established for many decades [1].”
Background
Nurse-patient Relationship in Palliative Care
Donkor, M., & Dorsey, D. (2019) · Theseus (Ammattikorkeakoulujen) · Cited by 6
Ethical integrity in systematic reviews and meta-analyses: challenges, pitfalls, and best practices in ophthalmology
Abukhaled, Y., Allawama, T. M., & Serhan, H. A. A. (2025) · Medical Hypothesis Discovery & Innovation in Ophthalmology · doi:10.51329/mehdiophthal1522 · Cited by 8
“Original articles are of ethical and methodological quality variation, which in turn affects the SRMA produced [34].”
The Danish Court Case Database: a data source in forensic mental health?
Pedersen, M. L., Gildberg, F. A., & Birkeland, S. (2022) · Scandinavian Journal of Forensic Science · doi:10.2478/sjfs-2022-0011 · Cited by 5
“However, this pseudonymisation of cases may be insufficient; thus, there may be a risk of identifiable data in the DCCD [37].”
Background
Exploring the lived experience of loneliness and social isolation in informal palliative caregivers: A systematic review
Cole, L., Collins, T. L., Speyer, R., Ellis, C., & Cordier, R. (2025) · Palliative Care and Social Practice · doi:10.1177/26323524251397000 · Cited by 4
“Vergnes et al. 44 argue that if the ethics of included studies are inadequate, it raises concerns about the moral acceptability of using the results in a systematic review.”
Measurement Error of Markerless Motion Capture Systems Applied to Tracking Movements in Human–Object Interaction Tasks: A Systematic Review with Best Evidence Synthesis
Unsihuay, N., Clavo, R. F., & Vieira, L. H. P. (2026) · Technologies · doi:10.3390/technologies14010028 · Cited by 4
“…as retracted publications; (iv) evaluated just the feasibility of a markerless system without validation against a reference method; or (v) described experiments where the authors did not include either evidence of ethical approval or justification for the exemption in the article text [36,37].”
Accuracy Standards of Wearable Technologies for Assessment of Soccer Kicking: Protocol for a Systematic Literature Review
Vieira, L. H. P., Clemente, F. M., Marquez, F. A. C., Olivares, W. M. R., Villafuerte, K. R. V., & Carpes, F. P. (2024) · JMIR Research Protocols · doi:10.2196/57433 · Cited by 6
“…by including the full text, such information that an institutional research ethics committee approved the investigation with human subjects [22] or otherwise whether there is an explicit statement indicating that evaluations were done as a part of traditional athletes routine measurements…”
Background
Teaching and applying telepractice for hearing and balance disorders in Africa in the COVID-19 era and beyond
Khoza‐Shangase, K. (2025) · Discover Global Society · doi:10.1007/s44282-025-00140-5 · Cited by 4
Kangaroo care to improve respiratory function in preterm infants: A literature review
Thompson, M. T. (2023) · Journal of Neonatal Nursing · doi:10.1016/j.jnn.2023.09.007 · Cited by 4
Peer Support for Women Who Have Experienced Interpersonal Trauma or Abuse: An Integrative Review
Thomson, G. M., Cull, J., Kuroski, J. A., Kuipers, Y., Leinweber, J., Karlsdóttir, S. I., & Burns, L. (2026) · Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences · doi:10.1111/scs.70179 · Cited by 4
Systematic literature review of the barriers and facilitators of frugal innovation for surgical care in low-income and middle-income countries
Brown, C., & McDermott, L. (2023) · BMJ Innovations · doi:10.1136/bmjinnov-2022-001066 · Cited by 4
The impact of HIV-related stigma on the psychological well-being of children who have been orphaned by AIDS
Yassin, Z., & Erasmus, C. J. (2016) · Vulnerable Children and Youth Studies · doi:10.1080/17450128.2016.1214769 · Cited by 3
The cultivation of caring presence in nurses : a systematic review
Noutchie, C. O. (2019) · Cited by 3
Mentorship in Nursing Academia: A Mixed Methods Study
Nowell, L. S. (2017) · Libraries and Cultural Resources (University of Calgary) · doi:10.11575/prism/26882 · Cited by 3
The use of Introduction, Situation, Background, Assessment, and Recommendation handover in the COVID-19 pandemic and non-COVID clinical settings: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Lazzari, C., & Rabottini, M. (2025) · Frontiers in Health Services · doi:10.3389/frhs.2025.1380948 · Cited by 3
“…of extracted data might serve a different purpose than some of the original research it includes; and (4) there is an inherent subjective element in the process of conducting an SR and meta-analysis that can produce outcomes not originally intended in the screened research screened (35).”
Digital technology and teaching methods in nursing education: a scoping review protocol
Barthel, C., Montigel, F., Jobst, S., Büchner, V. A., Kugler, C., & Strube‐Lahmann, S. (2025) · BMJ Open · doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2025-108610 · Cited by 4
Spiritual Experiences in Ecotherapy: A Systematic Review
Kang, M., & Hanley, T. (2026) · Ecopsychology · doi:10.1177/19429347251413153 · Cited by 2
Ethische Implikationen der psychiatrischen Versorgungsforschung
Becker, T. M., Kilian, R., Kösters, M., & Krumm, S. (2013) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-642-35055-9_7 · Cited by 2
Lay Health Worker Programmes as aPublic Health Approachin South Africa
Daniels, K. (2010) · Diva portal (Dalarna University Library) · Cited by 2
Coercion, Perceived Care and Quality of Life Among Patients in Psychiatric Hospitals
Soininen, P. (2014) · UTUPub (University of Turku) · Cited by 2
Experiences of Nurses Caring for Substance Using Patients: A Literature Review
Hahl, E. (2020) · Theseus (Ammattikorkeakoulujen) · Cited by 2
Recommendation of Neurorehabilitation according to the Padovan-Method Neurofunctional Reorganisation® for treating neurodevelopmental disorders: a systematic reviewPreprint
Eisenmeier, D. V. B., Ostermann, T., Vogel, H., Loskamp, K., & Fetz, K. (2021) · Research Square · doi:10.21203/rs.3.rs-301600/v1 · Cited by 2
What factors contribute to practice educators failing to fail pre-registration undergraduate students in the practice setting? A systematic review of the literature
Gardner, P., & Augustus, J. (2025) · Research in Post-Compulsory Education · doi:10.1080/13596748.2025.2502255 · Cited by 1
“Whilst no ethical approval was required to undertake this research as systematic reviews do not use human participants (Vergnes et al. 2010, 772), papers were quality assessed to ensure ethical considerations were acknowledged and included information on authorship, funding and competing interests…”
Development of a taxonomy mapping dental services integration: a scoping review protocol
Szönyi, V., Aouacheria, A., Gritsch, K., Grosgogeat, B., & Vergnes, J. (2025) · BMJ Open · doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2024-095212 · Cited by 1
Self-citation
Association between metabolic syndrome and physical fitness in firefighters: a protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis
Ras, J., & Grace, J. M. (2025) · BMJ Open · doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2024-090265 · Cited by 1
Brain-derived signals related to ball kicking movement in soccer and technologies employed: a systematic literature review with gap map
Unsihuay, N., Clemente, F. M., Trybulski, R., Thapa, R. K., Faria, M. H., Casado, F. L., Zvietcovich, F., & Vieira, L. H. P. (2026) · BMC Sports Science Medicine and Rehabilitation · doi:10.1186/s13102-026-01676-y · Cited by 1
“Finally, the decision to exclude studies of the pres-ent review conducted without reporting of any ethical aspects was based on a recent trend in systematic reviews [41, 51, 78–80], as recommended previously elsewhere in Vergnes et al. [44].”
Ethical challenges to patient autonomy in the era of artificial intelligence: a systematic review
Mohammadnejad, S., Raiesifar, A., Bazmi, S., & Ghonodi, F. (2026) · BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making · doi:10.1186/s12911-026-03614-x · Cited by 1
“The ethical principles of transparency, accurate reporting, and proper acknowledgment of sources were fully adhered to [45].”
Reporting of Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses- A Bibliometric Analysis of Research Publications in Palliative Care Journals
Kumar, P. (2012) · International Journal of Biomedical and Advance Research · doi:10.7439/ijbar.v3i6.360 · Cited by 1
“Ethical issues not only question the authority of randomized controlled trials but also the systematic reviews.(114) Interpretation of systematic reviews(115,116) is the”
Background
Recommendation of Neurorehabilitation according to the Padovan-Method Neurofunctional Reorganization® for Treating Neurodevelopmental Disorders: A Systematic Review
Eisenmeier, D. V. B., Ostermann, T., Vogel, H., Loskamp, K., & Fetz, K. (2022) · Complementary Medicine Research · doi:10.1159/000522571 · Cited by 2
Extended Scope Physiotherapists are Effective and Safe in the Emergency Department: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Souter, B., Jones, A., Sheppard, L. A., & Crowe, M. J. (2022) · Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice · doi:10.46743/1540-580x/2022.2130 · Cited by 1
Cannabis Use and Cannabis Use Disorders in South Africa: A Narrative Review
Bako, R. R. A., Ramalepe, L. M., & Nwogwugwu, N. C. (2023) · Journal of Drug Issues · doi:10.1177/00220426231189168 · Cited by 1
“This study was conducted using the qualitative research approach and narrative design (Creswell & Creswell, 2018; Vergnes et al., 2010).”
Ethics in systematic reviews
Ghajarzadeh, M., & Aramesh, K. (2024) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-0-443-13428-9.00018-5 · Cited by 1
Nordic Assessments of Instruments Measuring Subjective Well-Being in Young People: A Scoping Review
Backman-Nord, P., Söderberg, P., & Forsman, A. K. (2025) · Nordisk tidsskrift for ungdomsforskning · doi:10.18261/ntu.6.1.2 · Cited by 1
Eliciting women’s cervical screening preferences: a mixed methods systematic review protocol
Wood, B., Katwyk, S. R. V., El‐Khatib, Z., McFaul, S. M., Taljaard, M., Wright, E., Graham, I. D., & Little, J. (2016) · Systematic Reviews · doi:10.1186/s13643-016-0310-9 · Cited by 2
“Ethics approval and consent to participate There are ethical considerations to consider in the synthesis of primary research studies [51]; however, approval was not required for this analysis.”
(Mis)trusting Health Research Synthesis Studies: Exploring Transformations of 'Evidence'
Petrova, M. (2014) · Open Research Exeter (University of Exeter) · Cited by 1
Nursing interventions to reduce preoperative anxiety: A literature review.
Gautam, S. (2019) · Theseus (Ammattikorkeakoulujen)
The Role of Nurses in Breast Cancer Treatment. A Literature Review
Otu, F. (2020) · Theseus (Ammattikorkeakoulujen)
Management and outcomes of breech presentation at term in Thailand: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Siriwan, T., & Walker, S. (2022) · Journal of Public Health and Development · doi:10.55131/jphd/2022/200222
Effects of cardiovascular disease risk factors on cardiorespiratory fitness in firefighters – a protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysisPreprint
Ras, J., Soteriades, E. S., Kengne, A. P., Smith, D. L., & Leach, L. L. (2022) · medRxiv · doi:10.1101/2022.08.29.22279323
A social science perspective on literature relating to medically prescribed stimulants: a systematic review.
Bo, R. (2022) · doi:10.29086/10413/22761
A social science perspective on literature relating to medically prescribed stimulants: a systematic review.
Rode, B. S. (2022) · doi:10.29086/10413/22738
A Review of Tourism and Hospitality Education and Training Using Multiple Intelligence Theory in the Digital Age of Learning in Sub-Saharan Africa
Makuyana, T., Ndhlovu, E., & Dube, K. (2024) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-031-63069-9_2
The Aim and Scope of a Systematic Review: A Logical Approach
Purssell, E., & McCrae, N. (2024) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-031-71159-6_2
Ethical Considerations in Public Health Research
Sharan, V. (2025) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-981-96-5154-2_7
Narrative review on embracing advances in technology for clinical teaching and learning in audiology: opportunities delivered by COVID-19 to the South African academy
Khoza‐Shangase, K. (2025) · Frontiers in Education · doi:10.3389/feduc.2025.1551800
Coping mechanisms used by nurses caring for dying children: a literature review
Barton, H. A. (2025) · Nursing Children and Young People · doi:10.7748/ncyp.2025.e1566

Authors: Vergnes, J.-N., Marchal-Sixou, C., Nabet, C., Maret, D., & Hamel, O.
Affiliations: Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier (FR)
ORCID: Nabet, Cathy
Maret, Delphine
Venue: Journal of Medical Ethics
Publisher: BMJ
Published: 2010-10-15
Volume: 36
Issue: 12
Pages: 771-774
ISSN: 0306-6800 (ISSN-L)
1473-4257
DOI: 10.1136/jme.2010.039941
OpenAlex: W2149106853
Cited by: 102
References: 20
Citations by year: 2026: 7 · 2025: 16 · 2024: 11 · 2023: 10 · 2022: 14 · 2021: 6 · 2020: 8 · 2019: 7 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 1 · 2016: 6 · 2015: 2 · 2014: 6 · 2013: 1 · 2012: 1
FWCI: 0.27
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Locations: Journal of Medical Ethics (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
HAL (submittedVersion)
HighWire Press Open Archive (submittedVersion)
DigitalGeorgetown (Georgetown University Library) (submittedVersion)
Topics: Social Sciences › Decision Sciences › Statistics, Probability and Uncertainty › Meta-analysis and systematic reviews
Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Ethics in Clinical Research
Social Sciences › Education › Academic integrity and plagiarism
Keywords: ethical assessment, informed consent, conflicts of interest, Nuremberg Code, Declaration of Helsinki, research ethics guidelines, methodological quality
MeSH terms: Humans, Informed Consent, Review Literature as Topic, Ethics, Research, Biomedical Research

About these checks

Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.

Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.

Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.

What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›

Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review

Ethics in systematic reviews

Abstract

Overview

Integrity signals

Verification

Claims the paper makes

Claims other papers make about this one

Citations

Cites

Cited by

Related

Metadata

Record

About these checks