LibGuides: Redcliffe and Caboolture Hospital Libraries: Data Management

Data Management

The NYU Health Sciences Library video discusses best data management practices - including warnings on potential problems:

How to Avoid a Data Management Nightmare (NYU Health Sciences Library)

The video outlines four data management tips:

Retain component variables instead of compound variables whenever possible,
Clarify all aspects of your team's workflow expectations,
Develop a naming convention for data to ensure clarity between team members, and,
Make frequent backups of your work, housed in different locations.

Systematic Review Management Software Tools

Specifically tailored software designed to meet the requirements of systematic review teams. In addition to reference management, some help with data extraction, perform meta-analysis, track team progress, and facilitate communication between members.

Note, not every tool is appropriate for all synthesis or review types; select the right fit for your project.

EndNote - Bibliographic Software (QH License)

Covidence - Systematic Review Software (Check with your Research Team for possible access).

In addition to the above, there are a range of free and fee for use software available.

Extracting Data

Team members screen the list of references leaving a core group of studies to be included in the final review. Data is then extracted from the identified studies to enable result synthesisation. The extraction process is tracked e.g to Cochrane Data Extraction Form.

For further assistance on extracting data, refer to Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Review of Interventions.

A practical guide to data extraction / Covidence

PRISMA & TARCiS Statements

Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA)

"PRISMA is an evidence-based minimum set of items for reporting in systematic reviews and meta-analyses. PRISMA focuses on the reporting of reviews evaluating randomized trials, but can also be used as a basis for reporting systematic reviews of other types of research, particularly evaluations of interventions." (PRISMA, 2015.)

PRISMA Checklist

PRISMA Flow diagram

PRISMA Statement