CMU LibGuides: Evidence Synthesis: Finding, appraising and synthesizing research: Methodology and Documentation

Reporting Standards

There are numerous standards for reporting the methods and results of evidence synthesis research. Depending on the journal in which you intend to publish, they may require adherence to certain standards. Here are a few standards to consider.

PRISMA for Systematic Review Protocols
The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses for Protocols 2015 (PRISMA-P 2015) consists of a 17-item checklist intended to facilitate the preparation and reporting of a robust protocol for the systematic review.
PRISMA for Scoping Reviews
This extension of the PRISMA reporting standards provides a reporting checklist for scoping reviews.
Reporting standards for Systematic Evidence Syntheses in Environmental Research
ROSES is a collaborative initiative with the aim of improving the standards of reporting in evidence syntheses in the field of environmental science.
EQUATOR Network
The EQUATOR (Enhancing the QUAlity and Transparency Of health Research) Network is an international initiative that seeks to improve the reliability and value of published health research literature by promoting transparent and accurate reporting and wider use of robust reporting guidelines. They provide a list of various standards for reporting in systematic reviews.

PRISMA Flow Diagram

Most systematic reviews, and many other types of evidence synthesis research publications, include a PRISMA flow diagram to track the search, screening and selection process. The PRISMA Flow Diagram Tool can help you generate a flow diagram. Click on the image below for a Word template for your flow diagram.

Guidelines and Resources for Reviews in Management

Center for Evidence-Based Management
"The Center for Evidence-Based Management (CEBMa) is a non-profit member organization dedicated to promoting evidence-based practice in the field of management and leadership. We provide support and resources to managers, leaders, consultants, teachers, academics and others interested in learning more about evidence-based practice and decision-making."

Guidelines and Resources for Reviews in the Social Sciences

EPPI-Centre
The Evidence for Policy and Practice Information and Co-ordinating Centre (EPPI-Centre) conducts systematic reviews in the fields of Education, Health Promotion and Public Health, as well as social welfare and international development.
The Campbell Collaboration
The Campbell Collaboration is an international research network that produces systematic reviews of the effects of social interventions in Crime & Justice, Education, International Development, and Social Welfare. Their website provide guidance and resources for conducting systematic reviews in these areas.

Guidelines and Resources for Reviews in Health and Medicine

Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions
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.
Institute of Medicine (IOM) Standards for Systematic Reviews
These IOM standards are for systematic reviews of comparative effectiveness research of therapeutic medical or surgical interventions.
Guidelines for Systematic Reviews of Health Promotion and Public Health Interventions
These guidelines were developed for the purpose of advising and supporting systematic reviews of health promotion and public health interventions within the Cochrane Collaboration.

Guidelines and Resources for Reviews in Other Disciplines

The Collaboration for Environmental Evidence: The Collaboration for Environmental Evidence (CEE) is an open community of scientists and managers working towards a sustainable global environment and the conservation of biodiversity.To download the CEE Systematic Reviews guidelines, click here.

Evidence-based Software Engineering: Some effort has been made to provide guidance for systematic reviews in software engineering. This site provides guidelines and other resources for this field.

Systematic Review Methods for the Humanities: Systematic reviews in the humanities are less common, but this site provides some examples of reviews conducted in areas like Bioethics and Religious Studies.

Evidence Synthesis: Finding, appraising and synthesizing research

Books on Systematic Reviews

Books on Meta-analysis