systematic-review

A systematic review using PRISMA guidelines requires framing a PICO(S) research question, registering a protocol, searching databases, screening studies, extracting data, assessing risk of bias, and synthesizing evidence to ensure transparency and reproducibility.

The PICO(S) framework for evidence synthesis defines a research question by specifying Population, Intervention, Comparison, and Outcome, plus Study design, to guide precise eligibility criteria and database search strategies.

Documenting a search strategy for a systematic review protocol involves recording database queries, eligibility criteria, and data extraction plans to maintain transparency and reduce bias during evidence synthesis.

Yes, this systematic review protocol is applicable across social sciences, healthcare, and evidence synthesis, providing a transparent, repeatable workflow to reduce bias and ensure reproducibility in diverse disciplines.

Yes, registering a systematic review protocol in a registry like OSF before initiating screening is required to document objectives, eligibility criteria, and search strategies, ensuring transparency and reducing bias.

The best way to assess risk of bias in a systematic review is applying standardized risk-of-bias tools during data extraction, followed by GRADE assessment to evaluate evidence certainty and ensure bias-aware synthesis.