Subject Guides: Systematic Reviews: Guides/Manuals

Guides and Standards for Conducting a Systematic Review

In-depth information on how to conduct a systematic review

Cochrane Collaboration Handbook The Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions is the official document that describes in detail the process of preparing and maintaining Cochrane systematic reviews on the effects of healthcare interventions. This is Version 5.2 of the Handbook; last edited June 2017.
Finding What Works in Health Care: Standards for Systematic Reviews
IOM Standards for Systematic Reviews
Methods Guide for Effectiveness and Comparative Effectiveness Reviews (AHRQ) This guide was developed to improve the transparency, consistency, and scientific rigor of those working on Comparative Effectiveness Reviews. PDF copy of manual from 2009: http://effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov/repFiles/2007_10DraftMethodsGuide.pdf
Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA Statement) The aim of the PRISMA Statement is to help authors improve the reporting of systematic reviews and meta-analyses. The focus of PRISMA is randomized trials, but it can also be used as a basis for reporting systematic reviews of other types of research, particularly evaluations of interventions.
Systematic Reviews: CRD’s Guidance for Undertaking Reviews in Health Care Provides practical guidance for undertaking evidence synthesis based on a thorough understanding of systematic review methodology. Presents core principles of systematic reviews and highlights issues that are specific to reviews of clinical tests, public health interventions, adverse effects, and economic evaluations. The final chapter discusses incorporation of qualitative research in or alongside effectiveness reviews.

Journal articles on how to conduct a systematic review

Best Practice Guidelines for Abstract Screening
Polanin, J., Pigott, T., et al. (2019). Res Synth Methods. 2019 Sep; 10(3): 330–342. PMCID: PMC6771536
How to Write a Systematic Review of the Literature.
Pati D., Lorusso L.N. (2018). HERD. 2018 Jan;11(1):15-30. PMID: 29283007
An Introduction to Writing Narrative and Systematic Reviews
Heart Lung Circ. 2018 Jul;27(7):893-898 PMID: 29857977
A Simple Guide to Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses
Mantsiou, C., Liakos, A., et al. (2023). Int J Low Extrem Wounds, PMID: 37128661
Steps for Conducting a Scoping Review
Mak, S., Thomas, A. (2022). J Grad Med Educ. 2022 Oct; 14(5): 565–567. PMID: 36274762
Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses: An Illustrated, Step-By-Step Guide
Pai, M. (2004). Natl Med J India, 17(2):86-95. PMID: 15141602.

Formulate the Question

PICO Format

P	Patient or Problem
I	Intervention
C	Comparison
O	Outcome
T	Time (optional)

Asking Structured, Answerable Clinical Questions Using the Population, Intervention/Comparator, Outcome (PICO) Framework
PM R. 2019 May;11(5):548-553 PMID: 30729707

Register your Protocol

Register with Prospero:

Ideally, before you begin screening studies. Must register before data extraction begins
Completed studies cannot be registered
Full details are on the Prospero website

PROSPERO International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews. Registration is free and open to anyone undertaking systematic reviews of the effects of interventions and strategies to prevent, diagnose, treat, and monitor health conditions, for which there is a health related outcome.