Preprint Communication Version 1 Preserved in Portico This version is not peer-reviewed

The Value of Evidence Synthesis in Animal Sciences: A Discussion and Call to Action

Version 1 : Received: 8 February 2024 / Approved: 9 February 2024 / Online: 9 February 2024 (11:22:14 CET)

How to cite: Whittaker, A.; Aromataris, E.A.; Ankeny, R.; Rem Jessen, L.; Scahill, K.; Brennan, M.; Chousalkar, K.; Munn, Z.; Barker, T. The Value of Evidence Synthesis in Animal Sciences: A Discussion and Call to Action. Preprints 2024, 2024020553. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202402.0553.v1 Whittaker, A.; Aromataris, E.A.; Ankeny, R.; Rem Jessen, L.; Scahill, K.; Brennan, M.; Chousalkar, K.; Munn, Z.; Barker, T. The Value of Evidence Synthesis in Animal Sciences: A Discussion and Call to Action. Preprints 2024, 2024020553. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202402.0553.v1

Abstract

Population growth, climate change, changes to land use, and the advent of emerging infectious disease agents has put our abilities to feed the growing global population at risk, which is of particular concern in low- or middle-income countries. Research to improve the profitability and sustainability of common livestock production systems is key to tackling this issue. However, despite considerable research investment to address this concern, there has been no attention to development of robust methodologies for the synthesis of existing research evidence and its re-use. Syntheses of evidence are critical for fostering best practices, minimising wastage of valuable research resources, and enabling informed decision and policy making. Whilst the use of evidence syntheses is well entrenched in human healthcare, their use within animal sciences is limited and specific methodologies for performing them are underdeveloped. In this call to action, we propose some methodological development activities that should be undertaken within this field of research to increase the potential of evidence syntheses to contribute to tackling pressing societal issues relating to livestock agriculture.

Keywords

evidence synthesis, agricultural policy, systematic reviews

Subject

Biology and Life Sciences, Animal Science, Veterinary Science and Zoology

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