1. DATABASES

2. CITATION MANAGER (ZOTERO)

Download Zotero client and web connector and then customize your Zotero client using document linked below.

• Introduction to Zotero (12-minute video)

3. PROCESS DOCUMENTATION (NOT NEEDED IF USING COVIDENCE, AS PRISMA FLOW DIAGRAM IS BUILT INTO THE SOFTWARE)

Click this link for instructions from a UNC website for how to document a PRISMA 2020 flow diagram.

4. COVIDENCE (MANAGES SYSTEMATIC REVIEW PROCESS)

Click on this link to register for a free unlimited UVA Covidence account.

Recommended process for doing a systematic or high level review: 1. search databases, 2. export citations into separate folders in Zotero, 3. export each folder into Covidence using RIS file format.  Covidence will remove duplicates and manage screening and extraction.

The tools above are complex and require a steep learning curve.  Please don't hesitate to reach out to me for guidance.

The levels of evidence pyramid provides a way to visualize both the quality of evidence and the amount of evidence available. Evidence is broken down into three categories: Critical Appraisal (filtered), Experimental & Observational Studies (unfiltered), and Background Information.  As you go down the pyramid, the amount of evidence increases as the quality of the evidence decreases.