The Cochrane Library is a collection of databases that contain high-quality, independent evidence to inform healthcare decision making. Cochrane Reviews represent the highest level of evidence on which to base clinical treatment decisions.
The Cochrane Library consists of seven databases and is used by a broad range of people interested in Evidence-Based Health Care, including consumers, clinicians, policy-makers, researchers, educators, students and others.
Cochrane Systematic Reviews now updated monthly.
- Evidence-Based: combining the best research evidence with clinical expertise and patient values
- Single source: bringing together international research on the effectiveness of healthcare interventions
- Extensive: over 5,000 Cochrane systematic reviews and over 650,000 other data records, covering clinical trials, methods, technology and economic evaluations
- High-quality: 2008 Impact Factor of 5.182 - in the top 12 of the 'General Medical' Category
- Independent: adheres to a strict methodology to ensure Cochrane reviews are comprehensive, thus minimizing bias
- Up-to-date: updated regularly - ensuring that treatment decisions can be based on the most up-to-date reliable evidence
- Easy to use: flexible viewing and searching functionality (including by MeSH heading)
What is in The Cochrane Library?
Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (Cochrane Reviews)
Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects (Other Reviews) Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (Clinical Trials)
Cochrane Methodology Register (Methods Studies)
Health Technology Assessment Database (Technology Assessments)
NHS Economic Evaluation Database (Economic Evaluations)
The Cochrane Collaboration
The Cochrane Collaboration is an international not-for-profit organization, providing up-to-date information about the effects of health care. It aims to help people make well-informed decisions about health care by preparing, maintaining and promoting the accessibility of systematic reviews on the effects of healthcare interventions.