For each step of conducting a Cochrane review, we provide links to guidance, mandatory conduct standards, and supporting resources and learning.
Before you start
Do you have a conflict of interest?
Cochrane's reputation rests on our independence and research integrity. Our editorial policies are rigorous, particularly our Conflict of Interest policy. If your author team has financial or commercial conflicts, your manuscript may be rejected.
Are you writing a non-intervention review?
The steps on this page are relevant to all reviews. Where the guidance links are specific to intervention reviews, use these resources instead:
1. Select studies
Run search in databases and/or other sources – receive search results
Guidance
- Cochrane Handbook: Searching for and selecting studies
- Central Study Identification Service: search support may be available if you are not working with a Cochrane group and do not have a qualified information specialist or librarian on your author team.
Mandatory conduct standards
- Methodological Expectations of Cochrane Intervention Reviews (MECIR): Searching for studies (C24-C38)
Online learning
Title/abstract screening – full-text screening
These tasks must be completed in duplicate by two authors working separately. A third author must resolve conflicts as stated in the protocol.
Guidance
Mandatory conduct standards
Online learning
- Cochrane Interactive Learning Module 4: Selecting studies and collecting data
- Webinar: Covidence: Cochrane's new online tool for streamlined review production
Resource
- Screen4Me is a service designed to help review teams complete the screening of search results much more quickly, without compromising on quality. Screen4Me is currently only available for Cochrane intervention reviews that intend to include evidence from randomised controlled trials only. Read about Screen4Me.
2. Populate study data
Set up and pilot the data extraction template – extract study characteristics – extract outcome data
Setting up and piloting the data extraction form can be completed simultaneously during the search and screening process.
Extracting outcome data must be completed in duplicate by two authors working separately. A third author must resolve conflicts as stated in the protocol.
Guidance
Mandatory conduct standards
Online resource
Online learning
Assess methodological limitations in included studies
This task must be completed in duplicate by two authors working separately. A third author must resolve conflicts as stated in the protocol. This task takes time – make sure 2-3 authors have time available.
Guidance
- Cochrane Handbook
Online resource
Online learning
Add study data to RevMan
Guidance
Online resource
Complete study characteristic tables
Synthesise data
Guidance
- Cochrane Handbook
Online resource
- Cochrane Methods: Network meta-analysis (NMA)
- RevMan Knowledge Base: Populate: import and organize data
Online learning
- Cochrane Interactive Learning
- Webinars: Meta-analysis and other statistical methods
Create Summary of findings
Your review or update must include at least one Summary of findings table (SoFT). Summarise results for the comparisons and outcomes that decision-makers will find most relevant, as outlined in your review protocol.
Include a row for each outcome (up to a maximum of seven). Accepted SoFT formats and interactive Summary of findings tables can be produced within RevMan using GRADEpro GDT software.
Guidance
- Cochrane Handbook: Completing ‘Summary of findings’ tables and grading the certainty of the evidence
- GRADE Handbook: Summary of Findings table
Online resource
Online learning
Assess the certainty/strength of the evidence
Great work – you are now ready to start writing your review.
