Design a Rigorous Systematic Review Protocol Following PRISMA Guidelines

Build a PRISMA-compliant systematic review protocol with search strategies, screening procedures, and synthesis plans.

📝 The Prompt

Act as a senior research methodologist with expertise in evidence-based [DISCIPLINE]. Help me develop a complete systematic review protocol for the following research question: [RESEARCH QUESTION]. Structure the protocol according to PRISMA 2020 guidelines: 1. **Registration Details**: Suggest appropriate registration platforms (e.g., PROSPERO, OSF) and outline the required registration information for a review in [DISCIPLINE]. 2. **Eligibility Criteria (PICO/PEO Framework)**: - Population: [TARGET POPULATION] - Intervention/Exposure: [INTERVENTION OR EXPOSURE] - Comparator: [COMPARISON GROUP] - Outcome: [PRIMARY OUTCOME] Define precise inclusion and exclusion criteria for each element. 3. **Information Sources & Search Strategy**: List the top 5 databases for [DISCIPLINE], draft a sample search string using MeSH terms and keywords, and specify grey literature sources to minimize publication bias. 4. **Study Selection Process**: Outline a two-stage screening procedure (title/abstract and full-text) with inter-rater reliability measures. Recommend tools like Rayyan or Covidence. 5. **Data Extraction**: Design a data extraction table with 12-15 essential fields relevant to [RESEARCH QUESTION]. 6. **Risk of Bias Assessment**: Recommend the most appropriate quality appraisal tool (e.g., RoB 2, Newcastle-Ottawa Scale, CASP) and justify the choice. 7. **Data Synthesis Plan**: Specify whether a meta-analysis is feasible, describe heterogeneity assessment methods (I², Q-statistic), and outline a narrative synthesis fallback plan. 8. **Timeline & Team Roles**: Propose a realistic timeline for a team of [NUMBER OF REVIEWERS] reviewers over [AVAILABLE MONTHS] months. Format as a formal protocol document ready for registration submission.

💡 Tips for Better Results

Always pilot-test your search strategy in at least two databases before finalizing the protocol. Register your protocol before beginning data extraction to enhance transparency. Keep your PICO elements narrow enough to be manageable but broad enough to capture all relevant evidence.

🎯 Use Cases

Researchers and doctoral candidates use this when planning a systematic review for publication in peer-reviewed journals or as part of evidence-based practice guidelines.

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