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Your First Systematic Review

Complete walkthrough from research question to results

Your First Systematic Review

This tutorial walks you through creating a complete systematic review using EvidAI's intelligent workflow.

Before You Begin

Make sure you have:

  • ✅ An EvidAI account
  • ✅ A clear research question in mind
  • ✅ Basic familiarity with systematic review methodology

Phase 1: Define Your Research Question

Using the Protocol Builder

  1. Navigate to Compose > Protocol Builder
  2. Enter your research question in plain language
  3. Our AI will help you structure it using the PICO framework:
    • Population: Who are you studying?
    • Intervention: What treatment or exposure?
    • Comparison: What's the alternative?
    • Outcome: What results matter?

AI Suggestions

The Protocol Assistant will:

  • Suggest refined search terms
  • Recommend appropriate databases
  • Identify relevant study types
  • Estimate review scope and timeline

Phase 2: Search for Evidence

Building Your Search Strategy

  1. Go to Evidence Studio > Search
  2. Select your target databases (PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, etc.)
  3. Review the AI-generated search query
  4. Customize terms as needed
  5. Execute the search

What to Expect

  • Results from multiple databases consolidated automatically
  • Duplicate detection and removal
  • Citation count and relevance indicators

Phase 3: Screen Studies

Title/Abstract Screening

  1. Open Evidence Studio > Screen
  2. Review studies using our intelligent interface
  3. The AI provides:
    • PICO highlighting in abstracts
    • Relevance predictions
    • Similar study suggestions

Full-Text Screening

For included studies:

  1. Upload or auto-retrieve PDFs
  2. Apply detailed inclusion criteria
  3. Document exclusion reasons

Phase 4: Extract Data

Using Extraction Forms

  1. Access Evidence Studio > Extract
  2. Select or customize your extraction template
  3. For each study:
    • AI pre-fills available data
    • Verify and complete fields
    • Add notes and comments

Supported Data Types

  • Study characteristics
  • Population details
  • Intervention parameters
  • Outcome measures
  • Statistical results

Phase 5: Assess Quality

Risk of Bias Evaluation

  1. Open Evidence Studio > Quality
  2. Choose your assessment tool (RoB 2.0, ROBINS-I, etc.)
  3. The AI:
    • Locates relevant text in papers
    • Suggests domain ratings
    • Documents supporting evidence

Phase 6: Synthesize Evidence

Running Your Analysis

  1. Go to Evidence Studio > Synthesis
  2. Select outcomes for meta-analysis
  3. Configure analysis parameters
  4. Review results:
    • Forest plots
    • Heterogeneity statistics
    • GRADE assessments

Phase 7: Generate Reports

Publication-Ready Outputs

  1. Navigate to Compose > Manuscript
  2. Select your target journal
  3. Generate structured sections
  4. Export in your preferred format

Congratulations!

You've completed your first systematic review with EvidAI. Your work includes:

  • ✅ PRISMA-compliant methodology
  • ✅ Complete audit trail
  • ✅ Publication-ready manuscript

Next Steps

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