Exact matches
Compare normalised DOI, article URL, and exact title. These signals provide the strongest duplicate evidence.
Phase 1 · Repository quality
Duplicate Detection
Identify repeated records consistently before screening and retain a transparent count for PRISMA reporting.
Current repository protection
Review articlesThe registration form checks DOI first, followed by an exact title-and-year match when a DOI is unavailable.
Probable matches
Review similar titles, matching publication years, journals, and first authors before making a decision.
Resolve
Keep the most complete record, merge useful metadata, and mark the other record as a confirmed duplicate.
Document
Record how many duplicates were removed so the PRISMA identification stage remains reproducible.
Decision guide
Compare before removing
DOISame normalised DOI usually confirms a duplicate.
Title and yearUse when DOI is missing or incomplete.
Authors and journalResolve records with abbreviated or translated titles.
Metadata qualityRetain the record with the most complete verified information.