Change log

Change log

RM5 files

Prior to introduction of the data package, data from Cochrane reviews were published as RevMan 5 (RM5) files. These legacy files can be converted here: https://revman.cochrane.org/rm5Converter.

Version 1

The initial version of the data package. Introduced on 25 April 2023.

Version 2

Introduced on 24 September 2024 with the following changes.

Overall estimates and settings:

  1. CI fields ('Study CI' & 'Estimate CI') consolidated to one column 'CI level' (there is now only one setting in RevMan for confidence level and it is also used for the prediction interval)
  2. Added columns: 
    1. Heterogeneity estimator
    2. CI method
    3. Tau² CI start
    4. Tau² CI end
    5. PI start
    6. PI end

Subgroup estimates:

  1. Added columns 
    1. Tau² CI start
    2. Tau² CI end

Version 2.1

Introduced on 21 October 2024 with the following changes.

Overall estimates and settings:

  1. The column for confidence level is relabelled to CI/PI level
  2. Added columns to display if Tau2 CI or prediction interval are included in forest plot for the analysis: 
      1. Tau2 CI
      2. Prediction interval

Version 2.2

Introduced on the 19 February 2025 with the following changes.

Overall estimates and settings and subgroup estimates:

  1. Added the column "Effect T" for the t-test statistic for pooled estimates when the HKSJ confidence interval is used.

Version 2.3

Introduced 8th January 2026 with the following changes.

Structured data (.json) included for analysis data.  

Structured data (.json) and tabular data (.csv) included for study categories: excluded, awaiting classification and ongoing. 

The direction of outcomes is now included in the structured data for included studies.  

The tabular data file Overall estimates and settings and subgroup estimates is updated with the following additions:

  1. Added the column 'Filter criteria'
  2. Added columns for forest plot settings
    1. Sort studies by
    2. Graph label (left)
    3. Graph label (right)
    4. Graph scale
    5. Show risk of bias

Changes to packages for Diagnostic Test Accuracy reviews were included from 22 January 2026.   

Structured data (.json) included for analysis data.  

Structured data (.json) and tabular data (.csv) included for study categories: excluded, awaiting classification and ongoing. 

The tabular data file for parameters is updated to include paired data. 

Version 2.3

This is the current version of the data package. Data packages generated from 22 january 2026 will have this format.

The data package consists of a zipped folder with CD number, code or Review ID as identifier. 

Three subfolders may be included if content exists in the review:

  1. Analysis data
  2. Study data
  3. Other references

Each subfolder can include the following files:


Version 2.4

Added to References (RIS files):

  • Added 'Reason for exclusion' field/tag
  • Clarified behavior around import of studified references and primary references

Moved change log to separate page