Medicine Subject Guides: Systematic review

Topic selection: Precisely state the research question or objective that the systematic review is designed to address.

Create & register protocol: Create a detailed protocol outlining the review's objectives, eligibility criteria, search strategy, data extraction methods, and analysis techniques.

Literature search: Perform an extensive search across multiple databases and other sources to locate relevant studies. Document the search strategy and record all search results.

Study selection: Evaluate the identified studies against predetermined eligibility criteria to determine their inclusion or exclusion from the review. This step usually entails reviewing titles, abstracts, and full texts of the articles to assess their relevance and suitability for the review.

Data extraction: Retrieve pertinent information from the chosen studies, such as study characteristics, outcomes, and other relevant data. This stage often involves developing a standardized data extraction form to facilitate the process.

Risk of bias assessment: Evaluate the methodological rigor and reliability of the evidence by assessing the quality and potential bias of each included study using suitable tools or frameworks. This step aids in determining the overall credibility and trustworthiness of the research findings.

Data synthesis: Analyze the extracted data and integrate the findings from the included studies. This process may employ statistical methods, such as meta-analysis, when suitable and feasible, to provide a comprehensive and aggregated summary of the results.

Synthesizing data and reporting: Analyze the synthesized findings, carefully considering any limitations, and draw meaningful conclusions based on the available evidence. Prepare a comprehensive report or manuscript following established reporting guidelines, such as PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses), to ensure transparent and standardized reporting of the review's methods, results, and implications.

Peer review and publication: Submit the systematic review for peer review and publication in a relevant academic journal or other appropriate outlets.