Systematic Review Guidelines

The guidelines outlined for conducting a systematic review are intended as a general framework and should be considered suggestive rather than prescriptive. Authors are encouraged to adapt these recommendations in accordance with the specific objectives of their study and the requirements of the journal.

Structure

1.Title

  • “Systematic Review” or “Systematic Review and Meta-analysis”

2.Abstract (Structured)

  • Background
  • Methods
  • Results
  • Conclusion

3.Introduction

4.PICO framework:

  • Population
  • Intervention
  • Comparison
  • Outcome

5.Methods

  • Search Strategy

6.Databases:

  • PubMed
  • Scopus
  • Web of Science

7.Keywords + Boolean operators

8.Timeframe

Exact dates (e.g., Jan 2010 – Feb 2026)

9.Inclusion Criteria

  • Study type
  • Language
  • Population

10.Exclusion Criteria

  • Case reports?
  • Non-English?

11.Study Selection

  • Screening process
  • Number of reviewers
  • Conflict resolution

12.Data Extraction

13.Risk of Bias

14.Results

15.PRISMA Flow Diagram

16.Study Characteristics

17.Tables summarizing studies

18.Findings

19.Discussion

20.Conclusion