In the field of systematic reviews, the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) flow diagram stands as a crucial tool for transparency and reproducibility. This visual representation provides a clear and concise overview of the study selection process, from the initial identification of records to the final inclusion of studies in the review.
A typical PRISMA flow diagram comprises four key stages:
- Identification: This stage outlines the total number of records identified through database searches, hand searches, or other sources.
- Screening: Here, the initial pool of records is screened based on titles and abstracts to eliminate irrelevant studies.
- Eligibility: Eligible studies are selected based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, often involving a full-text review.
- Included: The final set of studies included in the systematic review is presented.
The Benefits of Using a PRISMA Flow Diagram
- Transparency: The PRISMA flow diagram enhances the transparency of systematic reviews by visually depicting the study selection process.
- Reproducibility: The diagram provides a roadmap for other researchers to replicate the review process and assess its validity.
- Critical Appraisal: It allows readers to critically evaluate the rigor and comprehensiveness of the review by examining the reasons for study exclusion.
- Quality Assessment: The diagram can be used to identify potential biases and limitations in the review process.
By consistently employing the PRISMA flow diagram, researchers can significantly improve the quality, transparency, and reproducibility of their systematic reviews, ultimately contributing to evidence-based decision-making.
List of recommended resources
For a broad overview
Creating a PRISMA flow diagram: PRISMA 2020
This guide by University Libraries gives an overview of PRISMA and explains which PRISMA 2020 flow diagrams to use, along with a step-by-step explanation of the process.
What is PRISMA and how to fill in one for conducting systematic review and meta-analyses
This video tutorial gives a detailed overview of what is meant by PRISMA and how to fill in from a part of a developing systematic review and meta-analysis. The tutorial explains in brief about PRISMA’s background and the steps to fill in such a form.
For in-depth understanding
How to Create an Effective PRISMA Flow Diagram
This article explains the various benefits of using PRISMA, what is included in a PRISMA flow diagram, and provides PRISMA flow diagram examples and templates. It also details PRISMA flow chart best practices and certain challenges faced while working with PRISMA flow diagrams.
This document gives an in-depth explanation of how to use PRISMA 2020 and why reporting of each item is recommended here. It also presents points detailing reporting recommendations as well as examples from published reviews.
Case study
This paper presents the work of 5 PhD students and uses PRISMA to search for literature and conduct a systematic review of the study.
Can case management improve cancer patients’ quality of life?: A systematic review following PRISMA
This research article aims to identify and synthesize the evidence of randomized controlled trial studies to prove that case management could be one way to address the quality of life of cancer patients. PRISMA is used to analyze the data and form conclusions.
References
An Introduction to the PRISMA 2020 Checklist for Systematic Reviews
Preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses: The PRISMA statement
