| Review initiation |
Forming review team; Engage stakeholders |
Possible added value as a tool for early communication with stakeholders |
| Review question and methodology |
Formulate question, conceptual framework & approach |
Added value in defining and refining conceptual aspects of the review including: scope, boundaries, study types and methods, appropriateness, PICO criteria, identification of uncertainties and areas of focus, understanding how the review will work |
| Search strategy |
Search and screen for inclusion using eligibility criteria |
Developing search strategy including defining concepts, making choices around databases, the number/types of searches, developing eligibility criteria for results, identifying appropriate study designs |
| Description of study characteristics |
Code to match or build a conceptual framework |
Aid in the design of data extraction forms |
| Quality relevance and appraisal |
Apply quality appraisal criteria |
Unclear |
| Synthesis |
Use conceptual framework, study codes & quality judgements |
Identify and justify outcomes and as aid to pre-specifying and justifying sub-group analyses; identify potential areas for focussing on during narrative synthesis or focussing parts of the qualitative synthesis |
| Using reviews |
Interpret & communicate findings with stakeholders |
As a dissemination tool when communicating review findings; as a tool for communicating new knowledge and theories deriving from the review in the form of a theory of change |
| Project Management |
Throughout |
Identifying dependencies and sequences in undertaking the review; communication tool throughout the review |
