Systematic Review Protocol
Developing a transparent and reproducible protocol for a systematic literature review
Prompt template
Develop a complete systematic review protocol (following PRISMA standards) on the topic of [REVIEW TOPIC]. **Research Question**: Formulated according to the PICO framework: - Population: [POPULATION] - Intervention / Exposure: [INTERVENTION OR EXPOSURE] - Comparator: [COMPARISON GROUP] - Outcome: [OUTCOMES] Please create: 1. **Search Strategy**: Develop a complete search strategy for at least three databases ([DATABASES, e.g., PubMed, Embase, Cochrane]) including Boolean operators and MeSH terms. 2. **Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria**: Define clear, operationalisable criteria for study selection (study design, language, time period, population characteristics). 3. **Study Selection Process**: Describe the screening process (title/abstract screening → full-text screening) and how conflicts between reviewers are resolved. 4. **Data Extraction**: Create a data extraction form with all relevant variables. 5. **Quality Assessment**: Which tool will be used to assess risk of bias (e.g., Cochrane RoB 2, GRADE, Newcastle-Ottawa)? 6. **Synthesis Plan**: Is a meta-analysis planned? If so, which statistical methods will be used? Registration note: Recommend appropriate protocol registries (PROSPERO, OSF).
Replace placeholders in [square brackets]: [REVIEW TOPIC][POPULATION][INTERVENTION OR EXPOSURE][COMPARISON GROUP][OUTCOMES][DATABASES, e.g., PubMed, Embase, Cochrane]
How to use this template
Copy the prompt, replace the placeholders in square brackets with your details and paste it into the AI assistant of your choice. The more precise your details, the better the result.
Tips for better results
- Register your protocol in advance with PROSPERO or OSF — this increases transparency and prevents publication bias.
- The PRISMA flow diagram is mandatory for eventual publication; document all exclusions with reasons.
- Conduct screening with at least two independent reviewers to minimise selection bias.
Suitable open models
The selection names current open models as a starting point for your own tests. It is not a measurement for this template.
Keywords: #systematic-review #PRISMA #PICO #meta-analyse #evidenzsynthese