Systematic Review & Literature Synthesis
10 weeks · 0 milestones
Conduct a systematic literature search using PRISMA methodology on a real health question. Proof requires: (a) a PRISMA flow diagram showing search results at each stage (records identified, screened, assessed for eligibility, included); (b) a documented search strategy with database names, search terms, date ranges, and inclusion/exclusion criteria; and (c) a synthesis table summarising included studies (author, year, design, population, intervention, outcome, findings). Reviewed by a researcher or academic with systematic review experience. The health question must be specific and the search must be reproducible from the documented strategy.
Milestone map
Milestone map
3 milestones
Choose a clinical question using PICO format for a systematic review. Register your review protocol with PROSPERO (the international prospective register of systematic reviews — free registration). Your protocol must include: PICO question, planned databases (minimum 3 — PubMed, Cochrane, and at least one specialist database such as CINAHL, PsycINFO, or Embase), search strategy with full search terms, inclusion and exclusion criteria, primary outcome, and planned data synthesis approach. Then conduct the full registered search and document the PRISMA flow diagram.
Proof required
Submit your PROSPERO registration confirmation (with registration number), your search strategy documentation, and your PRISMA flow diagram showing how you arrived at your included study set.
What gets checked
- PROSPERO registration is completed — the registration number must appear in the proof.
- Search covers at least 3 databases including Cochrane — single-database searches are not systematic reviews.
- PRISMA diagram is accurate — each stage's number must be traceable from the search documentation.