Systematic review protocol template

Last updated on May 9, 2023

Here is a template to use for a systematic review protocol

Research Template Generator

Systematic review Template

Title
[Include a concise, descriptive title that reflects the scope and purpose of the systematic review]

2-5 lines of overview
[Provide a brief background of the subject area and the rationale for conducting the systematic review]

The aim of this systematic review will be to [state the primary objective and any secondary objectives, if applicable]

Methods
We will adhere to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines in conducting this work. Our protocol will be registered on PROSPERO.

Search Strategy
On [specify date], we will search MEDLINE, Scopus, The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), and Web of Science. The search will combine terms related to [Topic 1] and [Topic 2]. The full search terms are described in Supplementary Material 1. No time or language restrictions will be applied to the search. Two independent investigators will perform the search, and any discrepancies will be resolved by the principal investigator.

Study Selection
The following study types will be included in our review:
1. Observational studies (e.g., cohort, case-control, cross-sectional) [Specify any additional characteristics or subtypes, if applicable]
2. Interventional studies (e.g., randomized controlled trials, non-randomized controlled trials) [Specify any additional characteristics or subtypes, if applicable]

The following study types will be excluded:
1. Editorials, unstructured narrative review articles, or other publications that do not report primary data or do not present new analyses of existing data.

The study selection will be conducted using Rayyan (https://www.rayyan.ai/). Articles retrieved from the search will be screened based on their title/abstract. The remaining studies will be further screened using their full-text form. Two independent investigators will perform the study selection, and any disagreements will be resolved by the principal investigator.

Main Outcomes
The topic of interest is [Provide a brief description of the primary and secondary outcomes, if applicable]

Data Extraction and Quality Assessment
We will create a spreadsheet for data extraction, including the following variables: title; year of publication; study design; country of origin (defined as the country in which the study was conducted); primary outcome measure; exposures; and any other notable results. Two independent investigators will perform the data extraction, and any discrepancies will be resolved by the principal investigator.

The risk of bias in the included studies will be assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale for observational studies and the Cochrane Risk of Bias Assessment for clinical trials (ROB) for interventional studies. Two independent investigators will conduct the quality assessment, and any discrepancies will be resolved by the principal investigator.

Role of Funding
None.

Conflict of Interests
None.

Supplementary Material 1
Search Query
[Provide the full search query for each database, including all search terms, keywords, and any applicable Boolean operators or filters]

Here are some tips for users to help them write their systematic review protocol using the provided template:

Title: Choose a clear, concise, and descriptive title that reflects the scope and purpose of the systematic review. Make sure the title highlights the main topics and research question being addressed.
Overview: Provide a brief background of the subject area and the rationale for conducting the systematic review. This section should set the context and explain why the review is important or necessary.
Objectives: Clearly state the primary and secondary objectives of the systematic review. The primary objective should focus on the main research question, while secondary objectives can address additional questions or subtopics related to the primary objective.
Methods: Explain the methodology that will be followed in conducting the systematic review, including adherence to guidelines such as PRISMA and registration on platforms like PROSPERO.
Search Strategy: Detail the databases that will be searched, the date when the search will be conducted, and the search terms that will be used. Be explicit about any time or language restrictions that will be applied.
Study Selection: Specify the inclusion and exclusion criteria for studies, as well as the study types that will be considered. Describe the process of study selection, including screening and full-text review, and mention the use of any specific tools or platforms, such as Rayyan.
Main Outcomes: Clearly define the primary and secondary outcomes of interest. These should be directly related to the research question and should guide the data extraction process.
Data Extraction and Quality Assessment: Explain how data will be extracted from the selected studies, including the variables that will be collected and the process for resolving discrepancies. Describe the tools that will be used to assess the risk of bias and the quality of the included studies.
Role of Funding and Conflict of Interests: Declare any funding sources or potential conflicts of interest related to the systematic review.
Supplementary Material: Provide any additional information, such as full search queries for each database, which may be helpful to readers or necessary for the review process.

Remember to use the provided template as a guide, making any necessary modifications to suit the specific needs of the systematic review project.