Umbrella reviews: a methodological guide

Archie Cochrane's call for organized summaries of randomized controlled trials highlighted the need for systematic reviews and meta-analyses, which have since evolved to include diverse methodologies. Umbrella reviews have emerged as a high-level synthesis method, aggregating data from multiple systematic reviews and offering comprehensive insights. Their integration of advanced methodologies and interdisciplinary approaches underscores their importance in shaping evidence-based practice and policy-making globally. This methods corner paper examines the significance of umbrella reviews as a methodological advancement in evidence synthesis, detailing the various types of umbrella reviews and the key steps involved in conducting them.