The Cochrane Collaboration is an international not-for-profit and independent organisation, dedicated to making up-to-date, accurate information about the effects of healthcare readily available worldwide. It produces and disseminates systematic reviews of healthcare interventions and promotes the search for evidence in the form of clinical trials and other studies of interventions. The Cochrane Collaboration was founded in 1993 and named for the British epidemiologist, Archie Cochrane.

The major product of the Collaboration is the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews which is published quarterly as part of The Cochrane Library.

Those who prepare the reviews are mostly health care professionals who volunteer to work in one of the many Cochrane Review Groups, with editorial teams overseeing the preparation and maintenance of the reviews, as well as application of the rigorous quality standards for which Cochrane Reviews have become known.

The activities of the Collaboration are directed by an elected Steering Group and are supported by staff in Cochrane Entities (Centres, Review Groups, Methods Groups, Fields/Networks) around the world.

Further reading:

• Newcomers' guide - about The Cochrane Collaboration and getting involved
• See other introductory documents
• Browse our Press Kits
• View an example of a Cochrane review
• Browse the list of Cochrane Review Groups
• Read Newsletters of various Cochrane groups & centres
• Information about Cochrane prizes & awards

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