Table 3.

Summary of single-person and two-person literature review methodology

Protocol/methodology	Single-person review	Two-person systematic review
Development of research questions	Consultation with NIPC steering and consensus groups – sign-off by NCIC	Consultation with NIPC steering and consensus groups – sign-off by NCIC
Performing searches	Lead reviewer only	Lead or supporting reviewer only
Screening and selection of articles	Lead reviewer only	Lead and supporting reviewer independently select articles for inclusion and agree by discussion
Evidence appraisal and grading	Lead reviewer only	Lead reviewer appraises all evidence and completes evidence tables, supporting reviewer completes a check of at least 30% of the appraisals and evidence tables
Write-up of literature review	Lead reviewer only	Lead reviewer only
Development of recommendations	Lead reviewer suggests recommendations for sign-off by the NCIC	Lead reviewer suggests recommendations, second author agrees the content before sign-off by the NCIC
Consultation	4–6 week consultation with NIPC steering and consensus groups plus any topic experts	4–6 week consultation with NIPC steering and consensus groups plus any topic experts
Maintaining and updating literature reviews and NIPCM	RSS feeds and monthly auto-alerts with any required changes to recommendations made in real-time. Quarterly evidence tables circulated to stakeholders and published online.	RSS feeds and monthly auto-alerts with any required changes to recommendations made in real-time. Quarterly evidence tables circulated to stakeholders and published online.