Systematic Review

PICO template

1. Identify your research question. Formulate a clear, well-defined research question of appropriate scope. Define your terminology. Find existing reviews on your topic to inform the development of your research question, identify gaps, and confirm that you are not duplicating the efforts of previous reviews. Consider using a framework like PICO or SPIDER to define you question scope. Use Database Search Log Excel spreadsheet to record search terms under each concept. 

Optional: It is a good idea to register your protocol in a publicly accessible way. This will help avoid other people completing a review on your topic. Similarly, before you start doing a systematic review, it's worth checking the different registries that nobody else has already registered a protocol on the same topic.

• Cochrane Collaboration - Systematic reviews of health care and clinical interventions
• Campbell Collaboration - Systematic reviews of the effects of social interventions
• COMRADES (Collaborative Approach to Meta-Analysis and Review of Animal Data from Experimental Studies)
• F1000 Research - The protocol is published immediately and subjected to open peer review. When two reviewers approve it, the paper is sent to Medline, Embase and other databases for indexing.
• Figshare - upload a protocol for your scoping review
• JBI - Systematic reviews of healthcare practices to assist in the improvement of healthcare outcomes globally
• Open Science Framework (OSF) Registries - Registry of a protocol on OSF creates a frozen, time-stamped record of the protocol, thus ensuring a level of transparency and accountability for the research. There are no limits to the types of protocols that can be hosted on OSF.
• *** PROSPERO - International prospective register of systematic reviews. This is the primary database for registering systematic review protocols and searching for published protocols. Scoping reviews are not accepted. PROSPERO accepts protocols from all disciplines (e.g., psychology, nutrition) with the stipulation that they must include health-related outcomes. PROSPERO Protocol Template
• Research Registry - Similar to PROSPERO. Based in the UK, fee-based service, quick turnaround time.
• Research Square - Submit a pre-print, or a protocol for a scoping review. 
• Zenodo - Share your search strategy and research protocol. No limit on the format, size, access restrictions or license.

Example outlining the details and documentation necessary for conducting a systematic review:

- PRISMA Flow Diagram

- PRISMA Checklist

- Manuscript template

7. Present results and assess the quality of evidence. Clearly present your findings, including detailed methodology (such as search strategies used, selection criteria, etc.) such that your review can be easily updated in the future with new research findings. Perform a meta-analysis, if the studies allow. Provide recommendations for practice and policy-making if sufficient, high quality evidence exists, or future directions for research to fill existing gaps in knowledge or to strengthen the body of evidence.

For more information, see: 

• Liumbruno, G. M., Velati, C., Pasqualetti, P., & Franchini, M. (2013). How to write a scientific manuscript for publication. Blood Transfusion, 11(2), 217–226. https://doi.org/10.2450/2012.0247-12 
• Academic Phrasebank - Get some inspiration and find some terms and phrases for writing your manuscript

• GradeProof - Automated high-quality spelling, grammar and rephrasing corrections using artificial intelligence (AI) to improve the flow of your writing. Free and subscription plans available.

- Elsevier Journal Finder

- Springer Journal Suggester

8. Find the best journal to publish your work. Identifying the best journal to submit your research to can be a difficult process. To help you make the choice of where to submit, simply insert your title and abstract in any of the journal finder tools listed under the Publishing your Systematic Review tab.