Stage 3 guided workspace
Stage 2 produced your final included-study set, PRISMA counts, appraisal results and extraction matrix. In Stage 3, turn that evidence into a synthesis that answers each research question, then draft the manuscript around it.
Follow the seven worksheets in order. They save in this browser; the Portfolio gathers your reviewed outputs.
- Prepare the Evidence Base — Confirm the final included-study set and make the extraction matrix analysis-ready.
- Choose the Synthesis Approach — Select and justify a synthesis method that fits your RQs and the type of evidence you have.
- Descriptive Mapping — Describe the evidence base: when, where, how and by whom the included studies were produced.
- Thematic Synthesis by RQ — Move from extracted findings to codes, themes and an answer for each research question.
- Research Gaps and Agenda — Derive evidence-based research gaps and turn them into a concrete future research agenda.
- Evidence Tables and Figures — Design the core tables and figures that make your synthesis transparent and easy to review.
- Draft the Manuscript — Write the first full draft section by section, starting with the parts you already have evidence for.
- Review and export the Stage 3 Portfolio
Start Stage 3 step by step → Open Stage 3 Portfolio →
Every result statement should be traceable to included studies. AI tools may help organise codes or improve drafts, but authors make and verify every analytical decision.
Stage 3 AI Prompt Toolkit
Copy step-specific prompts with built-in safeguards. Authors retain every analytical and editorial decision.
Tool guides
Use the separate tool pages for setup and demonstrations. Return to the worksheets to record outputs.
- VOSviewer — keyword and co-authorship maps for descriptive results.
- NVivo — code extracted findings and build themes.
- ATLAS.ti — alternative qualitative coding environment.
- Gemini Notebook — query selected full texts with citations to verify.
- diagrams.net — draw conceptual frameworks and PRISMA figures.
- Zotero — insert and manage citations while drafting.
Stage 3 practice and materials
Practise synthesis on a shared synthetic dataset of six studies.
Open the practice pack → Templates and practice files → Open related learning materials →