Which type of review is considered the most rigorous?

The most rigorous type of review is a systematic review. Systematic reviews are characterized by a structured and methodical approach to identifying, evaluating, and synthesizing research studies on a specific topic. The process involves explicitly defined protocols that reduce bias, such as comprehensive literature searches, predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, and a systematic evaluation of the quality of the included studies.

This rigorous methodology allows systematic reviews to provide a reliable and robust summary of the available evidence, which is particularly useful in fields like healthcare and social sciences. They often include meta-analyses, which quantitatively combine results from multiple studies, enhancing the overall findings' reliability. The structured nature of a systematic review distinguishes it from other types like literature reviews or case studies, which may not follow the same stringent processes and may be more subjective in their conclusions.