Developing a protocol (a detailed description of the objectives and methods of the review) allows you to begin thinking about the data management requirements of your project, which include extensive documentation of the process that produces the final sample of studies used in the review. We encourage the creation of a "lab notebook" and update it on a regular basis as the systematic review proceeds. The purpose of such a notebook (which can be print or electronic) is to keep track of progress on the project and to document important decisions and changes in the project as it proceeds. These documented details can be valuable in the event of staffing changes or lapses in the project timeline, and may be particularly helpful in development of a final manuscript. Before you extract data, define the following:
Standardized form for data are critical to be consistent and valid. Use a spreadsheet, or systematic review software, to extract all relevant data from each included study (Templates, Excel, Systematic review data repository, Atlas TI, Maxqda, Plot digitzer and more on the right). In the evidence table you will paste all valuable interesting data from the studies: title, author, year, journal, research question, specific objectives, conceptual framework, hypothesis, research methods or study type, and conclusions, effect sizes, population characteristics, and other relevant details, depending on the review's goal. For meta-analysis, both raw and processed data should be gathered from the findings of each study.
