The systematic review process is a methodical and rigorous approach to synthesizing research evidence on a specific question or topic. It involves systematically searching, selecting, appraising, and summarizing relevant research studies. The goal is to provide a comprehensive and unbiased summary of the existing literature, often to inform healthcare, policy, or practice decisions. Here's a step-by-step breakdown of the process:

1. Formulating the Research Question The process begins with a clearly defined research question, often framed using the PICO framework (Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome) in healthcare or other relevant frameworks in different disciplines. Example: “What is the effectiveness of a specific drug in treating a particular condition?”

The systematic review process is a methodical and rigorous approach to synthesizing research evidence on a specific question or topic. It involves systematically searching, selecting, appraising, and summarizing relevant research studies. The goal is to provide a comprehensive and unbiased summary of the existing literature, often to inform healthcare, policy, or practice decisions. Here's a step-by-step breakdown of the process:

1. Formulating the Research Question The process begins with a clearly defined research question, often framed using the PICO framework (Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome) in healthcare or other relevant frameworks in different disciplines. Example: “What is the effectiveness of a specific drug in treating a particular condition?”

2. Developing a Protocol A protocol outlines the methodology and scope of the systematic review before it begins. It defines the inclusion/exclusion criteria, search strategy, data extraction methods, and plan for analyzing the results.

The protocol should be registered with a systematic review database with a systematic review database to prevent duplication and ensure transparency.

(e.g., PROSPERO)