aizech Research Synthesis Skill
Use this skill when conducting literature reviews, synthesizing medical research, or evaluating clinical evidence.
When to Use
- Systematic literature searches
- Evidence synthesis for clinical questions
- Quality assessment of studies
- Writing literature reviews
- Translating research to clinical practice
Research Synthesis Framework
1. Question Formulation (PICO)
Structure the clinical question:
- Population: Who is the patient/population?
- Intervention: What is the exposure/treatment?
- Comparison: What is the alternative?
- Outcome: What outcomes are important?
2. Search Strategy
- Define search terms
- Select databases (PubMed, Cochrane, Embase)
- Include/exclude criteria
- Document the search process
3. Study Evaluation
Assess each study for:
- Study design
- Sample size
- Follow-up duration
- Bias risk
- Funding sources
4. Evidence Synthesis
Combine findings:
- Forest plots when appropriate
- Heterogeneity assessment
- Sensitivity analyses
- Subgroup analyses
5. Grading
Rate evidence quality:
GRADE System:
- High: Further research unlikely to change confidence
- Moderate: Further research may change confidence
- Low: Further research likely to change confidence
- Very Low: Any estimate is very uncertain
Evidence Hierarchy
| Level | Quality | Type |
|---|---|---|
| 1a | High | Systematic review of RCTs |
| 1b | High | Individual RCT with narrow CI |
| 2a | Moderate | Systematic review of cohort |
| 2b | Moderate | Individual cohort study |
| 3a | Low | Systematic review of case-control |
| 3b | Low | Individual case-control |
| 4 | Very Low | Case series |
| 5 | Very Low | Expert opinion |
Critical Appraisal
RCTs (CONSORT)
- Randomization method
- Allocation concealment
- Blinding
- Follow-up
- ITT analysis
Observational (STROBE)
- Selection bias
- Confounding
- Exposure measurement
- Outcome assessment
- Follow-up adequacy
Systematic Reviews (PRISMA)
- Search methodology
- Study selection
- Quality assessment
- Synthesis method
Output Structure
Literature Summary:
Clinical Question: [PICO]
Search Results:
- Databases searched
- Studies identified
- Studies included
Evidence Summary:
[Study 1]: Design, n, results, quality
[Study 2]: Design, n, results, quality
Synthesis:
- Overall effect estimate
- Heterogeneity (I²)
- Publication bias
Recommendations:
- Strength of recommendation
- Clinical applicability
- Research gaps
Reporting Standards
- CONSORT: Randomized trials
- STROBE: Observational studies
- PRISMA: Systematic reviews
- MOOSE: Meta-analyses of observational
- CARE: Case reports
Best Practices
- Pre-register protocols
- Document search strategy
- Include flow diagrams
- Rate evidence quality
- Acknowledge limitations
- Provide clinical context
- Cite properly (PMID, DOI)