The current mechanism through which scientific evidence is communicated, by publishing peer-reviewed manuscripts in journals, has several limitations that hinder the dissemination and accessibility of knowledge. In contrast, web-based technologies offer numerous possibilities, which unfortunately are underutilized by the majority of research groups. Seizing this opportunity, the Epistemonikos Foundation has just launched the first iteration of interactive Evidence Synthesis (iES), a tool that creates a web version of systematic reviews and other types of evidence syntheses.

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The publication of systematic reviews and other types of evidence synthesis in journals has served as the cornerstone of scientific communication. By subjecting manuscripts to rigorous scrutiny by experts in the field, peer review helps to identify errors, inconsistencies, and potential biases, ultimately safeguarding the integrity of scientific knowledge.

Nevertheless, this model creates several impediments to the effective dissemination and accessibility of knowledge generated by research. A significant drawback of publishing articles in journals is their static nature; once published, they cannot be easily updated or modified to incorporate new findings or corrections. This inflexibility may result in the perpetuation of outdated or inaccurate information. In contrast, web-based articles can be dynamically updated and revised as necessary, guaranteeing that individuals have access to the most current and accurate information available.

Traditional articles also have limitations in terms of interactivity and accessibility, as they frequently lack multimedia elements such as videos, animations, or interactive data visualizations. The inclusion of these features can significantly enhance people's understanding and engagement with the content.

On the other hand, web-based articles provide greater flexibility in tailoring content to diverse users. For instance, they can offer versions in multiple languages, tailor content for readers with varying levels of knowledge on the topic, and present versions with different levels of detail, among numerous other alternatives to cater to audiences with specific needs.

Additionally, it is common for authors of systematic reviews to produce various versions or updates of the same article, which may be hosted on different journals, preprint servers, or institutional websites. This practice can pose challenges for users trying to discover and connect the different instances of the same evidence review. Web-based platforms have the potential to facilitate this process by aggregating all instances of the same project, providing users with access to the most current and accurate content.

Unfortunately, although web-based technologies offer significant advantages in terms of dynamism, interactivity, accessibility, and user experience, most teams generating evidence reviews lack the experience or resources to develop these types of products.

In response to the challenges described above, the Epistemonikos Foundation has recently launched the first iteration of interactive Evidence Synthesis (iES), a tool that effortlessly generates an interactive online version of systematic reviews and other types of evidence syntheses, requiring minimal effort and resources.

 

Creating an interactive version is easy

iES is seamlessly integrated into the Sustainable Knowledge Platform (SK Platform), a system that allows all steps of an evidence synthesis to be carried out seamlessly and supported by innovative methods and technologies, including artificial intelligence.

When using the SK Platform, the interactive iES version is generated almost instantly, but reviews that have been produced outside the platform can also be adapted.

 

iES is a hub for all the instances of your review

You can use iES as your primary venue for making your information public or you can use it as a complement to traditional publication. Just add a link to your journal article and your users will receive all the advantages of this new platform.

 

Simple updates and living reviews 

While there is widespread agreement on the advantages of the living evidence model, which integrates new evidence as it emerges, its high costs and logistical challenges have resulted in an exceptionally slow adoption. The integration of iES with the SK Platform presents an unparalleled opportunity to efficiently embrace this evidence production model, streamlining the process and enabling faster updates to reviews.

We invite you to explore this new tool by visiting ies.epistemonikos.org. Take a look at the available examples and reach out to us, enabling your team to join the many others already testing this revolutionary tool. You'll receive support from the Epistemonikos Foundation team at every stage of the process.

 

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Gabriel Rada is an internist, co-founder, president, and CEO of the Epistemonikos Foundation.