INVISTA NO SEU SUCESSO:
Idea Development
Formulate the initial research question or hypothesis.
Identify the gap in the literature or the clinical question needing further investigation.
Ensure the question is specific, focused, and answerable.
Consider consulting with experts in the field to refine the research question.
Idea Validation
Validate the idea using the PICO Helper
Submit the idea through the validation form to receive feedback.
Revise the idea based on feedback to ensure its feasibility and relevance.
You can also try to jump to step 7 and make a draft of search strategy to find relevant studies
Define the Research Team
Assemble a diverse team with expertise in the subject matter, statistics, and systematic review methodologies.
Assign roles and responsibilities (e.g., lead investigator, data extractors, reviewers).
Define Organizational Site
Select a central location for organizing the research idea (e.g., shared online workspace such as Google Drive, Dropbox, or a project management tool like ClickUp or Trello).
Create a project folder structure for organizing documents and data.
Set up regular team meetings and communication channels.
Define the Research Question and Framework
Develop a clear and structured research question using frameworks such as PIC, PICO, PICOTT, PECO, PEO, SPIDER, etc.
PIC: Population, Intervention, Comparator
PICO: Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome
PICOTT: Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome, Time, Type of study
PECO: Population, Exposure, Comparator, Outcome
PEO: Population, Exposure, Outcome
SPIDER: Sample, Phenomenon of Interest, Design, Evaluation, Research type
Clearly define each element of the framework to guide the search and analysis.
Define Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria
Establish clear criteria for including and excluding studies in the meta-analysis.
Define inclusion criteria based on the research question framework (e.g., study design, population characteristics, intervention types, outcomes measured).
Define exclusion criteria to filter out irrelevant or low-quality studies (e.g., non-English studies, studies with insufficient data, duplicate studies).
Develop the Search Strategy
Create a comprehensive search strategy using Boolean operators relevant to your PIC, PICO, PICOTT, or PECO frameworks.
Identify relevant databases (e.g., PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library).
Develop a list of keywords and synonyms for each component of the research question.
Combine keywords using Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT) to create search strings.
Pilot test the search strategy and refine it based on initial results.
Document Search Results
Record the number of studies identified in databases such as PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library.
Keep a detailed log of the search process, including search strings, date of search, and number of results retrieved.
Save search results and export them in RIS format for further processing.
Download Studies
Download studies in RIS format from PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library.
Ensure all relevant studies are downloaded and saved in a consistent format.
Backup downloaded files to prevent data loss.
Optional: Upload Studies to Zotero
Upload studies to Zotero and remove duplicates.
Import RIS files into Zotero.
Use Zotero's duplicate detection feature to identify and merge duplicate entries.
Organize studies into collections for easier management.
Upload Studies to Rayyan
Upload studies to Rayyan for systematic review management.
Create a new project in Rayyan and import the studies.
Utilize Rayyan's features for tagging, blinding, and collaboration among reviewers.
Remove Duplicates in Rayyan
Remove duplicate studies in Rayyan (if not done in Zotero).
Use Rayyan's duplicate detection feature to identify and remove duplicate entries.
Ensure no relevant studies are lost during the deduplication process.
Assign Rayyan Reviewers
Assign primary and secondary reviewers in Rayyan.
Add them to the Rayyan as Reviewers
Ensure reviewers are blinded to each other's decisions to reduce bias.
Third Rayyan Reviewer
Assign a third reviewer in Rayyan for conflict resolution.
The third reviewer resolves any discrepancies between the primary and secondary reviewers.
Export Included Studies from Rayyan
Export included studies from Rayyan as a spreadsheet.
Save and upload the exported spreadsheet on the google spreadsheets.
Searching and Retriving the Included Studies
Use Search tools like Google, PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, or even Sci-Hub to find the studies
Register in the spreadsheet the found studies
Organize Studies on Google Drive
Store all identified studies in a shared Google Drive folder.
Create subfolders for different stages of the review (e.g., included studies, excluded studies, full-text review).
Ensure all team members have access to the shared folder.
PRISMA Flow Diagram
Create a PRISMA Flow Diagram: PRISMA Flow Diagram Tool.
Document the number of studies at each stage of the review process (e.g., identified, screened, eligible, included).
Ensure the flow diagram is accurate and complete.
Full Text Review
Conduct a full-text review to confirm the inclusion of each study.
Create a spreadsheet to document detailed data on each study using the PIC, PICO, PICOTT, or PECO frameworks.
Separate primary and secondary outcomes in the spreadsheet.
Ensure the use of a standardized data extraction form for consistency.
Baseline Characteristics Table
Prepare a table summarizing the baseline characteristics of the included studies.
Include details such as study design, sample size, population demographics, intervention details.
Highlight similarities and differences across studies.
Outcomes Table
Prepare a table of outcomes, ensuring data extraction by at least two individuals.
List primary and secondary outcomes for each study.
Include the dataset with its units (e.g., 10 mm (median) | 2 mm (range), 500 mL (mean) | 150 mL (SD))
Include measures of effect size and variability (e.g., mean differences, confidence intervals).
Bias Analysis
Conduct bias analysis using tools such as RoB 2 for randomized studies or ROBINS-I for non-randomized studies.
Assess risk of bias across multiple domains (e.g., selection bias, performance bias, detection bias).
Use standardized tools and criteria to ensure objective assessment.
Meta-Analysis
Perform the meta-analysis, creating Forest Plots and Funnel Plots using software such as RStudio, RevMan, Stata, or SPSS.
Choose appropriate statistical models (e.g., fixed-effect, random-effects) based on study heterogeneity.
Calculate pooled effect sizes and assess statistical heterogeneity (e.g., I² statistic).
Create visual representations (Forest Plots, Funnel Plots) to summarize results and assess publication bias.
Abstract Writing
Write the abstract summarizing the meta-analysis.
Include key information such as background, objectives, methods, results, and conclusions.
Ensure the abstract is concise, clear, and accurately reflects the study's findings.
Introduction Writing
Write the introduction section.
Provide background information on the research topic.
State the research question and objectives.
Highlight the significance and rationale for the meta-analysis.
Methods Writing
Write the methods section.
Describe the search strategy, inclusion and exclusion criteria, data extraction process, and statistical analysis methods.
Provide enough detail for replication of the study.
Results Writing
Write the results section.
Present findings from the systematic review and meta-analysis.
Include summary statistics, Forest Plots, Funnel Plots, and tables of study characteristics and outcomes.
Discussion Writing
Write the discussion section.
Interpret the findings in the context of existing literature.
Discuss implications, strengths, and limitations of the study.
Suggest directions for future research.
Limitations Writing
Write the limitations section.
Acknowledge any limitations in the study design, methodology, or analysis.
Discuss the potential impact of these limitations on the findings.
Conclusion Writing
Write the conclusion section.
Summarize the main findings and their significance.
Provide a clear take-home message based on the study's results.
References Writing
Compile and format the references.
Use a reference management tool to organize citations (e.g., EndNote, Mendeley).
Ensure all cited studies are accurately referenced according to the journal's guidelines.
Senior or Supervisor Review
Have the manuscript reviewed by a senior researcher or supervisor.
Incorporate feedback to improve clarity, accuracy, and completeness.
Address any concerns or suggestions provided by the reviewer.
Manuscript Revision
Revise the manuscript based on feedback.
Make necessary edits to improve the quality of the manuscript.
Conduct a final proofread to check for any errors or inconsistencies.
Manuscript Submission
Submit the manuscript to a suitable journal.
Use tools like Journal/Author Name Estimator (JANE) to find potential journals.
Follow the journal's submission guidelines and format requirements.
Prepare a Cover Letter and Any Required Supplementary Materials
Write a cover letter addressed to the journal editor.
Introduce the manuscript and its significance.
Briefly summarize the key findings and their implications.
Explain why the manuscript is a good fit for the journal.
Include any required supplementary materials (e.g., conflict of interest statements, data availability statements).
Ensure all submission materials adhere to the journal's guidelines.
Follow-Up
Monitor the submission process and respond to any feedback or queries from the journal.
Address reviewer comments and revise the manuscript if necessary.
Keep track of the manuscript's status until a decision is made.
By following these steps, you can ensure a thorough and systematic approach to conducting a meta-analysis, increasing the likelihood of producing a high-quality and publishable research study.
USMLE BRAZIL BRASIL