Systematic Review Protocol (PRISMA)
This skill provides a structured framework for conducting a systematic review that meets the highest academic standards.
1. Protocol Development (PROSPERO style)
A rigorous review starts with a pre-registered protocol defining:
- PICO(S): Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcomes, Study Design.
- Inclusion/Exclusion: Clear criteria to minimize bias.
2. Search Strategy Optimization
- Boolean Logic: Use complex nested queries.
- Academic Filters: site:arxiv.org, site:nature.com, PubMed IDs, etc.
- Snowballing: Backward and forward citation tracing.
3. Screening Process
- Title/Abstract Screening: High-level relevance check.
- Full-Text Review: Detailed assessment against inclusion criteria.
- Conflict Resolution: How to handle disagreements (e.g., third-party reviewer).
4. Data Extraction & Quality Assessment
- Extraction Tables: Author, Year, Sample, Method, Key Results.
- Risk of Bias (RoB): Use tools like Cochrane RoB or Newcastle-Ottawa Scale.
5. Synthesis & Reporting (PRISMA)
- Flow Diagram: Transparently showing source selection.
- Thematic Synthesis: Organizing findings into actionable themes.
Ready to start? Provide your research question or draft protocol for refinement.