Mapping Your Review: Clarifying the Systematic Review Process and Beyond

Elizabeth Torres 

Evidence synthesis refers to the structured, transparent process of gathering, evaluating, and combining findings from multiple research studies to answer a specific question.

Rather than relying on a single study, evidence synthesis methods (such as systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and scoping reviews) bring together all available, high-quality research on a topic to identify overall patterns, strengths, and gaps in the evidence base.

It is a cornerstone of evidence-based practice (EBP)—helping clinicians, educators, and policy makers make decisions informed by the totality of existing research rather than isolated findings.

• Clearly defined question (often PICO)

• Pre-registered protocol (PROSPERO, OSF)

• Two-person screening and data extraction

• Transparent inclusion/exclusion criteria

• Comprehensive search in multiple databases

• PRISMA flow diagram

• Critical appraisal and synthesis

Once all is removed that can be removed, that is how designs are truly in their simplest form.

Meet The Team

• Process of Conducting a Systematic Review (15 min)

  Use a flow diagram to outline:

• Define question

• Register protocol

• Develop search strategy

• Screen titles/abstracts

• Retrieve full text

• Appraise quality

• Extract data

• Synthesize/analyze

• Report and update

• Tools to highlight: Covidence, Rayyan, Zotero, PRISMA templates, RevMan.

Team Science & Roles (10 min)

• Typical team composition: PI, co-investigators, librarian, methodologist, subject experts, statistician.

• Discuss authorship and contribution documentation (CREDIT taxonomy).

• Emphasize librarian partnership for transparent searching and documentation.

Research Strategy & Planning Documentation (10 min)

• Importance of protocol and reproducibility.

• Example templates: JBI or Cochrane.

• Sample search log and PRISMA checklist.

• Example of a reproducible CINAHL/PubMed strategy.

• Documentation tools: Excel logs, OSF repositories.

. Wrap-Up & Resources (5 min)

• HPU Library supports for evidence synthesis.

• Recommended readings (Cochrane Handbook, JBI Manual, PRISMA 2020, AHRQ Evidence Synthesis).

• Share LibGuide or Zotero collection with templates and sample protocols.

Working with ACME is nothing short of amazing. They delivered a pixel perfect product on time and on budget. 10/10 recommend.

– Frank Newman,
Vandelay Industries

Pricing

Once all is removed that can be removed, that is how designs are truly in their simplest form.

We believe great things are created when teams of diverse individuals come together and organize around a centralized goal. We operate without ego or blame and we have defined processes that ensure the best option is the one chosen.

While this process is lengthy at times, the best outcomes are derived from our approach to creation.

Our client team is ready to hear about your project. We're available by email or phone 24/7