This paper provides an overview of the use of structured literature reviews to promote greater reliability in the use and reporting of evidence in evaluations. The work draws from a case study used in an evaluation of the Doing Business project conducted by the Independent Evaluation Group (IEG) of the World Bank. Andrew Stone, lead evaluation specialist, led the evaluation under the guidance of José Candido Carbajo Martinez (former director, IEG Financial, Private Sector, and Sustainable Development) and Alison Evans (Director-General, Evaluation). The case outlined the methodology and analytical protocols used to synthesize evidence related to the impact of various business regulation reforms.

This paper was produced as part of the Methodological Paper Series sponsored by the Independent Evaluation Group’s Methods Advisory Function. The authors are grateful for the feedback provided by the editor and the staff of the paper series: Ariya Hagh, Michael Harrup, and Jos Vaessen. A special thanks to Alexandre Hery, Amanda O’Brien, Rafaela Sarinho, Andrew Stone, and Luísa Ulhoa for their support in editing, production, and graphic design.

Although many people contributed to the preparation of this paper, the findings, interpretations, and conclusions expressed are entirely those of the authors and should not be attributed in any manner to the World Bank Group, to members of its Board of Executive Directors, or to the countries they represent.