Guidance for conducting PhD-level systematic literature reviews according to PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) standards. Covers protocol development, search string optimization, screening processes, and data extraction.
View on GitHubpoemswe/co-researcher
co-researcher
January 24, 2026
Select agents to install to:
npx add-skill https://github.com/poemswe/co-researcher/blob/main/skills/systematic-review/SKILL.md -a claude-code --skill systematic-reviewInstallation paths:
.claude/skills/systematic-review/# Systematic Review Protocol (PRISMA) This skill provides a structured framework for conducting a systematic review that meets the highest academic standards. ## 1. Protocol Development (PROSPERO style) A rigorous review starts with a pre-registered protocol defining: - **PICO(S)**: Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcomes, Study Design. - **Inclusion/Exclusion**: Clear criteria to minimize bias. ## 2. Search Strategy Optimization - **Boolean Logic**: Use complex nested queries. - **Academic Filters**: site:arxiv.org, site:nature.com, PubMed IDs, etc. - **Snowballing**: Backward and forward citation tracing. ## 3. Screening Process - **Title/Abstract Screening**: High-level relevance check. - **Full-Text Review**: Detailed assessment against inclusion criteria. - **Conflict Resolution**: How to handle disagreements (e.g., third-party reviewer). ## 4. Data Extraction & Quality Assessment - **Extraction Tables**: Author, Year, Sample, Method, Key Results. - **Risk of Bias (RoB)**: Use tools like Cochrane RoB or Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. ## 5. Synthesis & Reporting (PRISMA) - **Flow Diagram**: Transparently showing source selection. - **Thematic Synthesis**: Organizing findings into actionable themes. **Ready to start?** Provide your research question or draft protocol for refinement.