SLRSystematic Literature ReviewFrom Literature Discovery to Publication

Stage 2 · REVIEW

Systematic Review and Evidence Synthesis

Move from retrieved records to a transparent final study set and a usable evidence matrix.

Stage 1 produced your protocol draft, database exports and search log. In Stage 2, apply the planned rules consistently, document every decision and prepare evidence for synthesis.

LEARN · PILOT · SCREEN · APPRAISE · EXTRACT
Researchers conducting study screening and systematic evidence review
Review evidence transparently
LEARN→DEMONSTRATION→HANDS-ON→DELIVERABLE

Stage 2 guided workspace

Start with Step 1 and follow the worksheets in order. They save in this browser; the Portfolio gathers your reviewed outputs.

  1. Confirm protocol and eligibility
  2. Deduplicate records
  3. Calibrate and screen titles/abstracts
  4. Screen full texts and record reasons
  5. Reconcile PRISMA counts
  6. Pilot the quality appraisal
  7. Pilot extraction and prepare synthesis
  8. Review and export the Stage 2 Portfolio

Start Stage 2 step by step → Open Stage 2 Portfolio →

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Keep human decisions auditable

Screening and appraisal tools can organise work and flag possible matches. Reviewers make, verify and document the final decisions.

Stage 2 AI Prompt Toolkit

Copy step-specific prompts for protocol checks, deduplication support, screening, full-text evidence, count checks, appraisal and extraction. Human reviewers retain final decisions.

Open Stage 2 Prompt Toolkit → Build a Stage 2 review prompt →

Tool guides

Use the separate tool pages for setup and demonstrations. Return here to record the review outputs.

  • Zotero — organize exported records and help manage duplicates.
  • Rayyan — manage screening decisions and disagreements.
  • Gemini Notebook — analyse selected full-text documents and prepare evidence for extraction, with citations to verify.
  • Covidence — optional review-management alternative; check access before the workshop.

Build a PRISMA flow diagram →

Stage 2 learning materials

Open the course notes, shared screening practice and templates. The guided workspace collects your own outputs step by step.

Open Stage 2 materials → View templates and practice files → Run the screening practice →

TAKE-HOME TASK · BEFORE STAGE 3

Complete your review across the full set of studies

The workshop activities and shared practice pack help you learn the process. Before Stage 3, apply the confirmed protocol to your complete review set and bring verified outputs for synthesis.

  • Finish title/abstract and full-text screening; record a reason for each full-text exclusion.
  • Reconcile the PRISMA counts with your screening records.
  • Complete quality appraisal and data extraction for every included study.
  • Save your final included-study list, evidence-based extraction matrix and a backup of your review files.
Ready for Stage 3? You can identify which studies were included, explain the exclusions, and trace the evidence for each research question to its source.
Use the Stage 2 Portfolio checklist →
← Stage 1: DiscoveryNext: Stage 3 →