Step by step: Read the guidance, open the linked tools if needed, then record your verified decisions below. Your work is saved in this browser; export the portfolio to keep a backup.
ESTIMATED HANDS-ON TIME45–60 min
You are ready to continue when
Every PRISMA item has a location (page/section) or a justified “not applicable”, and the abstract checklist is complete.
Tools, templates and prompts for this stepLearn the software on its own guide. Return here to record verified outputs.
Key guidance
- Tick an item only when the manuscript actually reports it. Enter the section or page number so the journal’s checklist can be completed quickly.
- Items 12, 14, 15, 21 and 22 are often not applicable to qualitative syntheses — say so explicitly with a reason rather than leaving them blank.
- Many journals require the completed PRISMA checklist as a supplementary file at submission.
- Consider relevant extensions: PRISMA-S (search reporting), PRISMA-ScR (scoping reviews) or discipline-specific guidance.
PRISMA 2020 main checklist (27 items)
Counted as complete when an item is marked Reported or Not applicable. Item wording is abridged — use the official checklist for sub-items (e.g. 10a/10b, 13a–f, 20a–d, 23a–d, 24a–c).
| # | Item | Status | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| TITLE & ABSTRACT | |||
| 1 | TitleIdentify the report as a systematic review. | ||
| 2 | AbstractStructured abstract following PRISMA 2020 for Abstracts. | ||
| INTRODUCTION | |||
| 3 | RationaleDescribe the rationale for the review in the context of existing knowledge. | ||
| 4 | ObjectivesExplicit statement of the objective(s) or question(s) the review addresses. | ||
| METHODS | |||
| 5 | Eligibility criteriaInclusion and exclusion criteria and how studies were grouped for the syntheses. | ||
| 6 | Information sourcesAll databases, registers, websites and other sources searched, with the date last searched. | ||
| 7 | Search strategyFull search strategies for all databases, including filters and limits. | ||
| 8 | Selection processHow many reviewers screened each record, whether independently, and any automation tools used. | ||
| 9 | Data collection processMethods used to collect data, number of reviewers, and processes for confirming data. | ||
| 10 | Data itemsOutcomes and other variables sought, and how missing or unclear information was handled. | ||
| 11 | Study risk of bias assessmentTool(s) used, number of reviewers, and whether they worked independently. | ||
| 12 | Effect measuresEffect measures used for each outcome (or state not applicable for qualitative synthesis). | ||
| 13 | Synthesis methodsProcesses for deciding eligibility for each synthesis, preparing data, tabulating, and synthesising results. | ||
| 14 | Reporting bias assessmentMethods used to assess risk of bias due to missing results. | ||
| 15 | Certainty assessmentMethods used to assess certainty or confidence in the body of evidence. | ||
| RESULTS | |||
| 16 | Study selectionResults of the search and selection process, ideally with a PRISMA flow diagram; cite excluded studies that seemed eligible. | ||
| 17 | Study characteristicsCite each included study and present its characteristics. | ||
| 18 | Risk of bias in studiesPresent assessments of risk of bias / quality for each included study. | ||
| 19 | Results of individual studiesSummary data or findings for each study, ideally in tables or plots. | ||
| 20 | Results of synthesesCharacteristics and results of each synthesis, including heterogeneity and sensitivity analyses where relevant. | ||
| 21 | Reporting biasesAssessments of risk of bias due to missing results. | ||
| 22 | Certainty of evidenceAssessments of certainty or confidence for each outcome or finding. | ||
| DISCUSSION | |||
| 23 | DiscussionInterpretation in context of other evidence, limitations of the evidence and of the review process, and implications. | ||
| OTHER INFORMATION | |||
| 24 | Registration and protocolRegistration information, where the protocol can be accessed, and any amendments. | ||
| 25 | SupportSources of financial or non-financial support and the role of funders. | ||
| 26 | Competing interestsDeclare any competing interests of review authors. | ||
| 27 | Availability of data, code and other materialsWhich materials are publicly available and where: templates, extracted data, analytic code. | ||
PRISMA 2020 for Abstracts (12 items)
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