What is a Systematic Review?

A systematic review is the highest level of evidence synthesis, combining all available research on a focused question using a reproducible, transparent methodology. A meta-analysis adds statistical pooling of results for quantitative synthesis.

Follows PRISMA 2020 / MOOSE reporting guidelines
Registered on PROSPERO before literature search begins
Risk of bias assessed using Cochrane RoB 2 / NOS / GRADE
Statistical meta-analysis with heterogeneity testing (I², τ²)
Forest plots, funnel plots, and subgroup analyses produced

Evidence Hierarchy

Systematic reviews sit at the apex of the evidence pyramid above individual RCTs, cohort studies, and expert opinion. We help you produce research that shapes clinical guidelines, policy, and practice.

Level I
Systematic Review / Meta-Analysis
Level II
Randomised Controlled Trials
Level III
Cohort & Case-Control Studies
Level IV
Case Series / Expert Opinion
PRISMA 2020 Compliant
PROSPERO Registered
94% Q1/Q2 Acceptance
NDA Protected

Our Step-by-Step SR Process

PROSPERO Registration

Protocol pre-registered on PROSPERO with PICO/PICOS framework, eligibility criteria, and planned analyses documented.

Comprehensive Database Search

PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL, and grey literature searched with reproducible search strings.

Title/Abstract & Full-Text Screening

Two independent reviewers screen all records using Covidence or Rayyan; conflicts resolved by a third reviewer.

Data Extraction & Risk of Bias

Structured extraction forms used; risk of bias assessed per study type (Cochrane RoB 2, ROBINS-I, or NOS scale).

Meta-Analysis & Statistical Synthesis

Pooled estimates (RR, OR, MD, SMD) calculated with random/fixed effects models; heterogeneity quantified via I².

GRADE Evidence Profiling

Overall certainty of evidence graded per GRADE framework for each outcome reported in summary-of-findings tables.

15+ Databases Searched
Dual Independent Screening
Forest & Funnel Plots
GRADE Evidence Tables
PRISMA Flow Diagram
PROSPERO Registered

Full-Service SR/MA Support

PICO Protocol Development

Population, Intervention, Comparison, and Outcome framework designed with your clinical/research question.

Search String Construction

MeSH terms, Boolean operators, and database-specific syntax built for maximum sensitivity and specificity.

Data Extraction Tables

Structured extraction in PRISMA-compliant tables covering study characteristics, outcomes, and risk-of-bias items.

Statistical Meta-Analysis

RevMan 5, R (meta, metafor), or STATA used for pooling. Sensitivity, subgroup, and meta-regression analyses available.

Publication-Quality Figures

High-resolution forest plots, funnel plots, bubble plots, and PRISMA flow diagrams ready for journal submission.

Journal Targeting & Submission

We recommend the best-fit journal, format the manuscript accordingly, and manage the full submission process.

Common Questions

Everything you need to know about our systematic review service.

No. We conduct the full literature search across all relevant databases, screen all records, perform full-text review, and extract data. You only need to provide the research question, PICO framework, and any specific inclusion/exclusion criteria you have in mind.

Yes. We conduct pairwise and network meta-analyses using R (netmeta, gemtc), STATA, or WinBUGS. We produce network plots, league tables, SUCRA rankings, and inconsistency assessments per CINeMA and GRADE-NMA frameworks.

A standard systematic review takes 6–10 weeks depending on the scope of the literature and complexity of the meta-analysis. Expedited timelines (4 weeks) are available for focused topics with smaller evidence bases.