Developing the Methodology
The main basis for the Panel's work in the Second Report, is a series of 20 specially commissioned systematic literature reviews (SLRs). These SLRs have all been conducted according to a common, detailed specification, following recommendations made by the Methodology Task Force which completed its work before the Panel's first meeting. This task force drew on the accumulated experience of existing techniques to develop a unique new process. The methodology is described in the SLR Specification Manual which contains the instructions for conducting the systematic review.
The methods specified in the manual were subject to a testing process for reproducibility. As a result the manual was modified and it formed the basis for all the reviews on the literature on food, nutrition, physical activity and the risk for cancer for all relevant cancer sites and on weight gain, overweight and obesity.
Scientific centres were invited to bid for the work of conducting the systematic literature reviews and WCRF International contracted with nine institutions in Europe and North America - the SLR Centres. Using the SLR Specification Manual to plan and undertake their work, the SLR Centres began the mammoth task of reviewing the voluminous scientific literature. Two stages of Peer Review supported the scientific integrity and acceptance of the methodology.
The Independence of the SLR Centres and the Panel was assured by separating the collection of evidence from the business of assessing and judging it.