Professor Florence Martin Aids Researchers in Conducting Systematic Reviews in New Book

Florence Martin, a professor of learning, design and technology in the NC State College of Education, is helping educational researchers conduct high-quality systematic reviews through her latest book, entitled Systematic Reviews in Educational Research: A Practical Guide for Research Synthesis. 

Systematic reviews aid scholars in conducting reviews of existing research in a highly effective, efficient manner that is less biased and more transparent than traditional literature reviews, the book says. 

“Written for researchers and practitioners with varied levels of experience with systematic reviews, this book aims to support development of rigorous and impactful systematic reviews,” Martin said. 

The book focuses on a five-step process for conducting systematic reviews known as DISCAR— which stands for design, inclusion/exclusion, search/screen, code, analysis and report—with each step representing a unique phase that provides researchers with a clear structure for conducting reviews. 

For example, Martin said, the inclusion/exclusion criteria of the DISCAR process helps to promote transparency while the comprehensive search strategies outlined in the search/screen phase enhances the robustness of the literature captured in the review. Meanwhile, the analyze/synthasize phase encourages critical engagement with the literature and the reporting phase emphasizes clear communication of the results and implications to ensure the review contributes meaningfully to the field. 

Each chapter in the book also includes pedagogical features such as practice activities and reflection questions.

“By emphasizing the importance of a clear research protocol and preliminary searches in the design phase, the DISCAR process ensures that researchers refine their questions and establish a focused approach,” Martin said.  “Collectively, the DISCAR process enhances the rigor, transparency and impact of systematic reviews, providing researchers with guidance to produce reliable and valuable evidence.” 

In addition to those conducting their own reviews, Martin said she hopes the book might also benefit faculty who wish to teach a course on systematic reviews or for students who wish to learn more about the process. She also hopes the book might support journal editors and peer reviewers, educational leaders and policymakers who are not familiar with the systematic review methodology.

Martin is recognized as one of the top researchers in her field, having been awarded David H. Jonassen Excellence in Research Award from the Association for Educational Communications & Technology (AECT) earlier this academic year. The prestigious award, which is given to no more than three scholars per year, recognizes those whose research shows groundbreaking scholarship with innovative research design and methodology, has made significant contributions to the advancement of theory and practice in educational communications and technology, and has had a sustained impact over decades of work in the field of instructional design and technology.