Review/Update project template

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Review/Update milestones:


1. Select studies

The suggested timeframe for completing this milestone is 8 weeks.

1. Run search in databases and/or other sources

ResourceLink
Cochrane Handbook

Searching for and selecting studies

Methodological Expectations of Cochrane Intervention Reviews (MECIR) - mandatory conduct standards

Searching for studies (C24-C38)

Cochrane Interactive Learning

Module 3: Searching for studies

2. Search results received

3. Title/abstract screening (in duplicate)

Third author to resolve conflicts as stipulated per protocol.

ResourceLink
Cochrane HandbookSearching for and selecting studies

Methodological Expectations of Cochrane Intervention Reviews (MECIR) - mandatory conduct standards

Selecting studies to include in the review (C39-C42)

Cochrane Interactive Learning

Module 4: Selecting studies and collecting data

Webinar

Covidence: Cochrane's new online tool for streamlined review production

4. Full text screening (in duplicate)

Third author to resolve conflicts as stipulated per protocol.

ResourceLink
Cochrane HandbookSearching for and selecting studies

Methodological Expectations of Cochrane Intervention Reviews (MECIR) - mandatory conduct standards

Selecting studies to include in the review (C39-C42)

Cochrane Interactive Learning

Module 4: Selecting studies and collecting data

Webinar

Covidence: Cochrane's new online tool for streamlined review production


2. Populate study data

The suggested timeframe for completing this milestone is 16 weeks.

1. Set up and pilot data extraction template

Setting up and piloting the data extraction form can be completed simultaneously during the search and screening process.

ResourceLink
Cochrane HandbookCollecting data

Methodological Expectations of Cochrane Intervention Reviews (MECIR) - mandatory conduct standards

Collecting data from included studies (C43-C51)

RevMan Knowledge Base

Data extraction templates

2. Extract study characteristics

ResourceLink
Cochrane HandbookCollecting data

Methodological Expectations of Cochrane Intervention Reviews (MECIR) - mandatory conduct standards

Collecting data from included studies (C43-C51)

RevMan Knowledge Base

Data extraction templates

3. Extract outcome data (in duplicate)

[This task takes time - make sure 2-3 authors have time available]

Third author to resolve conflicts as stipulated per protocol.

ResourceLink
Cochrane HandbookCollecting data

Methodological Expectations of Cochrane Intervention Reviews (MECIR) - mandatory conduct standards

Collecting data from included studies (C43-C51)

RevMan Knowledge Base

Data extraction templates

Cochrane Interactive Learning

Module 4: Selecting studies and collecting data

4. Assess methodological limitations in included studies (in duplicate, with any conflicts resolved)

[This task takes time - make sure 2-3 authors have time available]

Third author to resolve conflicts as stipulated per protocol.

5. Add study data to RevMan

ResourceLink
Cochrane HandbookCollecting data

RevMan Knowledge Base

Import references for studies

6. Complete study characteristic tables

ResourceLink
Cochrane HandbookCollecting data

RevMan Knowledge Base

Characteristics of studies

Cochrane Style Essentials 

Characteristics of included studies


3. Complete summary of findings

The suggested timeframe for completing this milestone is 4 weeks.

1. Synthesize data

2. Create summary of findings

3. Assess the certainty/strength of the evidence

4. Present summary of findings for feedback

Ensure that the entire author team is available for this task.


4. Prepare manuscript for submission

The suggested timeframe for completing this milestone is 24 weeks. 16 weeks should be spent on tasks 1-12 and 8 weeks on tasks 13-15.

1. Write results – Results of the search

ResourceLink
Cochrane Handbook

Reporting the review

Searching for and selecting studies 

Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA)

PRISMA Flow diagram

PRISMA Checklist

Cochrane Interactive Learning

Module 3: Searching for studies

2. Write results – Describe studies

3. Write results – Methodological limitations

4. Write results – Results of synthesis

5. Write discussion – Summary of main findings

ResourceLink
Cochrane HandbookReporting the review
Completing ‘Summary of findings’ tables and grading the certainty of the evidence

Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA)

PRISMA Checklist

Methods Support Unit web clinic

What makes a good Discussion section?

Summary of findings table common errors

6. Write discussion – Limitations of the evidence

ResourceLink
Cochrane HandbookReporting the review
Completing ‘Summary of findings’ tables and grading the certainty of the evidence

Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA)

PRISMA Checklist

Methods Support Unit web clinic

What makes a good Discussion section?

7. Write discussion – Limitations of review processes

ResourceLink
Cochrane HandbookReporting the review
Completing ‘Summary of findings’ tables and grading the certainty of the evidence

Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA)

PRISMA Checklist

Methods Support Unit web clinic

What makes a good Discussion section?

8. Write discussion – Agreements and disagreements

ResourceLink
Cochrane HandbookReporting the review
Completing ‘Summary of findings’ tables and grading the certainty of the evidence

Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA)

PRISMA Checklist

Methods Support Unit web clinic

What makes a good Discussion section?

9. Write authors' conclusions

ResourceLink
Cochrane HandbookReporting the review
Interpreting results and drawing conclusions 

Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA)

PRISMA Checklist

Cochrane Interactive Learning

Module 8: Reporting the review

Methods Support Unit web clinic

Developing your implications for research section

10. Write abstract

ResourceLink
Cochrane HandbookReporting the review

Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA)

PRISMA Checklist

Cochrane Interactive Learning

Module 8: Reporting the review

Webinar

Writing a Cochrane abstract in the focused review format

11. Write plain language summary

12. Complete additional information

ResourceLink
Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA)PRISMA Checklist
Cochrane author guidelines

Pre-submission checklist

RevMan Knowledge Base

Validation report

13. Internal feedback

Allow one month for rest of author team, Cochrane groups, and anyone else supporting the review to check the manuscript and for author team to incorporate feedback into final version.

ResourceLink
RevMan Knowledge Base

Compare versions

14. Complete pre-submission checks

ResourceLink
Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA)PRISMA Checklist
Cochrane author guidelines

Pre-submission checklist

RevMan Knowledge Base

How to use the Cochrane review template

15. Submit first draft

ResourceLink
Editorial Manager instructions

Submit the first draft of your review or update


5. Editorial process

1. Address editorial and peer reviewer comments

ResourceLink
Cochrane author guidelines

Peer review

2. Internal feedback: revision 1

ResourceLink
RevMan Knowledge BaseCompare versions

3. Submit revision 1

ResourceLink
Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA)PRISMA Checklist
Cochrane author guidelines

Pre-submission checklist

Submission deadlines

Editorial Manager instructions

Resubmit following revisions

RevMan Knowledge Base

Compare versions

Validation report

4. Address editorial and peer reviewer comments (2)

ResourceLink
Cochrane author guidelines

Peer review

5. Internal feedback: revision 2

ResourceLink
RevMan Knowledge BaseCompare versions

6. Submit revision 2

ResourceLink
Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA)PRISMA Checklist
Cochrane author guidelines

Pre-submission checklist

Submission deadlines

Editorial Manager instructions

Resubmit following revisions

RevMan Knowledge Base

Compare versions

Validation report


6. Prepare manuscript for publication

1. Complete licence for publication

ResourceLink
Cochrane author guidelines

Copyright and licensing

Editorial Manager instructions

Complete your Licence for Publication Form

2. Address copy edit comments

ResourceLink
Cochrane author guidelines

Proofs

Editorial Manager instructions

Review final proofs after copy-editing