Best practice guidelines for abstract screening large‐evidence systematic reviews and meta‐analyses

ABSTRACT: Abstract screening is one important aspect of conducting a high‐quality and comprehensive systematic review and meta‐analysis. Abstract screening allows the review team to conduct the tedious but vital first step to synthesize the extant literature: winnowing down the overwhelming amalgamation of citations discovered through research databases to the citations that should be “full‐text” screened and eventually included in the review. Although it is a critical process, few guidelines have been put forth since the publications of seminal systematic review textbooks. The purpose of this paper, therefore, is to provide a practical set of best practice guidelines to help future review teams and managers. Each of the 10 proposed guidelines is explained using real‐world examples or illustrations

SUBMITTER: Polanin J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6771536 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature