Workflow Optimization
Maximize efficiency and quality throughout your systematic review process with proven strategies and expert tips.
Planning Phase
Before You Start
Assess Feasibility
- Check for existing reviews
- Estimate evidence volume
- Evaluate resource requirements
- Set realistic timelines
Assemble Your Team
- Define roles clearly
- Assign responsibilities
- Plan communication
- Schedule check-ins
Register Your Protocol
- PROSPERO registration
- Document a priori methods
- Reduce selective reporting
- Increase credibility
Protocol Tips
- Be specific but not restrictive
- Plan for amendments
- Consider all outcomes upfront
- Document rationale
Search Phase
Efficiency Tips
Use AI Query Generation
- Start with natural language
- Review AI suggestions
- Customize as needed
- Save time on syntax
Database Strategy
- Prioritize key databases
- Use database-specific features
- Plan supplementary searches
- Document everything
Quality Tips
Ensure Comprehensiveness
- Multiple databases required
- Include grey literature
- Try citation chasing
- Search trial registries
Validate Your Search
- Test against known studies
- Check sensitivity
- Peer review strategy
- Document iterations
Screening Phase
Efficiency Tips
Leverage AI Assistance
- Trust high-confidence decisions
- Focus on uncertain cases
- Use keyboard shortcuts
- Screen in focused sessions
Optimize Your Time
- 30-minute focused sessions
- Take breaks
- Screen by topic clusters
- Use priority ranking
Quality Tips
Maintain Consistency
- Calibrate with team
- Document decisions
- Review borderline cases
- Check a sample of excludes
Handle Uncertainty
- When in doubt, include
- Document reasoning
- Discuss with team
- Full text resolves many
Extraction Phase
Efficiency Tips
Use AI Pre-Population
- Review, don't retype
- Verify AI extractions
- Focus on complex items
- Batch similar studies
Template Strategy
- Use standard templates
- Customize for outcomes
- Pilot test forms
- Iterate as needed
Quality Tips
Ensure Accuracy
- Double-check numbers
- Verify statistics
- Cross-reference tables
- Document sources
Handle Missing Data
- Use "NR" consistently
- Contact authors if critical
- Document attempts
- Plan for analysis
Analysis Phase
Efficiency Tips
Prepare Data Properly
- Clean data before analysis
- Check for outliers
- Verify calculations
- Organize by outcome
Use Automated Features
- AI effect measure selection
- Automatic heterogeneity
- Generated visualizations
- GRADE assistance
Quality Tips
Interpret Carefully
- Consider clinical significance
- Report uncertainty
- Acknowledge limitations
- Pre-specify subgroups
Writing Phase
Efficiency Tips
Start Early
- Draft methods as you go
- Generate sections incrementally
- Use AI drafts as starting points
- Build references continuously
Use Templates
- Select journal template early
- Follow structure
- Check word limits
- Format as you write
Quality Tips
Ensure Completeness
- PRISMA checklist
- All results reported
- Limitations discussed
- Conclusions justified
General Best Practices
Communication
- Regular team check-ins
- Document all decisions
- Share progress updates
- Address issues promptly
Documentation
- Audit trail from start
- Save versions
- Note amendments
- Archive everything
Quality Assurance
- Pilot all phases
- Calibrate regularly
- Spot-check AI decisions
- Peer review drafts