What are some of the best practices and tools for conducting meta-analyses and systematic reviews?

2 Search and select relevant studies

The next step is to search and select the relevant studies that will be included in your meta-analysis or systematic review. You should use multiple sources, such as databases, registries, reference lists, and experts, to identify as many studies as possible that match your research question. You should also document your search strategy, including the keywords, filters, and dates used, and update it as needed. To select the studies, you should apply your inclusion and exclusion criteria based on the study design, quality, and relevance, and use a systematic and transparent process, such as PRISMA or Cochrane, to report the flow of studies.

3 Extract and assess data quality

The third step is to extract and assess the data quality from the selected studies. You should use a standardized form or tool, such as Covidence or DistillerSR, to collect the relevant information from each study, such as the characteristics, methods, results, and limitations. You should also assess the risk of bias and the quality of evidence of each study, using appropriate tools, such as ROBIS or GRADE, to evaluate the validity, reliability, and applicability of the findings. You should report any discrepancies or challenges in data extraction and quality assessment, and how you resolved them.

4 Analyze and synthesize data

The fourth step is to analyze and synthesize the data from the selected studies. You should use a suitable statistical method or software, such as RevMan or MetaXL, to combine the data and calculate the effect size and confidence intervals of the intervention or comparison. You should also explore the heterogeneity and sensitivity of the results, using methods such as subgroup analysis, meta-regression, or funnel plot, to examine the sources of variation and bias among the studies. You should present the results in a clear and comprehensive way, using tables, figures, and forest plots, to summarize the main findings and implications.

6 Report and disseminate results

The final step is to report and disseminate the results of your meta-analysis or systematic review. You should follow the reporting standards and guidelines for your research method, such as PRISMA or Cochrane, to ensure that your report is transparent, complete, and reproducible. You should also use plain language and visual aids to communicate your results to different audiences, such as policymakers, practitioners, or the public, and to highlight the key messages and recommendations. You should also consider publishing your protocol, data, and code, as well as your report, in open access platforms, such as PROSPERO or Open Science Framework, to enhance the credibility and accessibility of your meta-analysis or systematic review.