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Cochrane Review Groups (CRGs) can ask Network Associate Edtiors for feedback on Cochrane Reviews that have been submitted for editorial review. There are various scenarios when it may be appropriate to contact your Associate Editor for review screening or other checks; see POSSIBLE SCENARIOS.

Screening

The aim of screening is primarily intended to help decide what sort of additional work might be needed before publication. Screening is carried out using a Triage Tool (see Appendix 1) that focuses on three separate aspects of the review:

Further information about the Triage Tool can be found in the Operational guide to the Cochrane Editorial & Methods Department Review Triaging Tool. The process for review screening is detailed in Box 2, but please contact your Associate Editor if you have any queries.

Other quick checks and feedback may be appropriate rather than providing a full screening report.

Possible scenarios for referral of reviews for screening

CRG referral for high-priority reviews (screening report)

If the review:

Other CRG referrals (optional quick checks or screening report)

External sources

Process for review screening

  1. When CRGs have identified the need for screening (see Box 1 for possible scenarios), they should contact the Associate Editor and Senior Editor for their Network as soon as possible. Any advance notice of upcoming reviews to be referred for screening, in particular that require a quick turnaround or are large, would be much appreciated. In most cases reviews will be referred for screening prior to copy edit, however it may be appropriate for the processes to be run in parallel.
  2. Reviews can be referred for screening at any stage of the editorial process, and checks can be carried out on, but not limited to the:
    1. ProtocoL
    2. Results and analysiS
    3. Implementation of GRADE and Summary of findings tableS
    4. Abstract and plain language summary
    5. Discussion and conclusions
  3. Associate Editors will consult with other sources of advice as necessary, for example other Associate Editors, Senior Editors or the Methods Support Team (to be established during 2019).
  4. Associate Editors will screen the review using the Triage Tool (see Appendix 1) and return a written report to the CRG.
  5. Associate Editors will also specify whether they will need to rescreen the amended review before proceeding, or if they are happy for the CRG to check amendments are made.
  6. Please note that turnaround time for a screening report will depend on the volume of queries received and the size of the review. An estimate of completion can be provided once a request is received.