Banner Health FAQs

1. Finding a Research Idea

Identify a relevant and well-defined research question that addresses a gap in knowledge¹. The question should be clear, unambiguous, and structured (often using the PICO framework: Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome)².

2. Performing a Feasibility Search

Before diving in, assess whether the review is feasible¹.

3. Developing a Review Team

A systematic review team should be multidisciplinary, including individuals with diverse expertise to minimize bias and ensure a comprehensive and rigorous review³. Consider including a Project Leader, Methodologist, Reviewers, Subject Expert, Librarian, Statistician (if a meta-analysis is planned), and a Project Manager⁴.

4. Registering a Protocol

Registering a protocol is not mandatory, but it is considered best practice⁵. Register your systematic review protocol in a registry like PROSPERO. This enhances transparency and reduces potential bias. It outlines your planned methodology, inclusion/exclusion criteria, and analysis plan before you begin the review.

5. Identifying a Search Strategy

Develop a comprehensive search strategy to identify all relevant studies ^1,2. Work with a librarian to design effective search strategies across various databases and grey literature.

6. Identifying Inclusion/Exclusion Criteria

Define the criteria for including or excluding studies in the review. These criteria should relate to populations, study design, interventions, comparison groups, and measured outcomes.

7. Identifying Variables

Determine the variables to be analyzed in the systematic review.

8. Performing the Search

Conduct a thorough search of relevant databases and sources. Use multiple resources, both computerized and printed, without language restrictions.

9. Importing into Covidence

Import all retrieved records in Covidence and remove duplicates. Covidence is a web-based software platform designed specifically for managing systematic reviews.

10. Screening Title/Abstracts in Covidence

Use Covidence to screen the titles and abstracts of identified studies to remove irrelevant ones. Configure Covidence for independent screening by at least two reviewers. Covidence facilitates resolving disagreements between reviewers.

11. Screening Full Text Articles in Covidence

Upload or link to the full text articles. Use the inclusion/exclusion criteria to screen the full text of the remaining studies. Filter out irrelevant studies, ensuring that your final analysis focuses only on those that directly address your research question⁶.

12. Collecting Data in Covidence

Extract relevant data from the included studies directly within Covidence. Customize the data extraction forms in Covidence to match the variables you've identified. Pilot the data extraction form to ensure it captures all necessary information clearly. Covidence supports collaborative data extraction and conflict resolution.

13. Bias Assessment in Covidence

Evaluate the risk of bias in the included studies, considering factors related to study design. Use a Risk of Bias tool within Covidence and adapt it to the specific needs of the review.

14. Meta-Analysis [Optional]

If appropriate, perform a meta-analysis to statistically combine the results of the included studies. This step may require exporting data from Covidence to a statistical software package.

15. Writing the Paper

Write a structured article or paper. A typical systematic review includes an introduction, methods, results, discussion, and conclusion⁷. Utilize the PRISMA checklist to ensure transparent reporting. The paper should include a PRISMA flow diagram, visually representing the flow of studies through each phase of the review process.

16. Checking PRISMA

Use the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis) checklist which is a 27-item checklist used to improve transparency in systematic reviews.

17. Selecting a Journal

When selecting a journal to submit your review, look for author guidelines⁸. If you can't find any, contact the journal for advice.

18. Submitting the Manuscript

Always follow the author guidelines when submitting manuscripts.