This is an archived version of the Handbook. For the current version, please go to training.cochrane.org/handbook/current.

Box 2.2.b: Sections of a Cochrane review

Title*

Review information:

        Authors*

        Contact person*

        Dates*

        What’s new

        History

Abstract:

        Background*

        Objectives*

        Search methods*

        Data collection and analysis*

        Results*

        Authors’ conclusions*

Plain language summary:

        Plain language title*

        Summary text*

The review:

        Background*

        Objectives*

        Methods:

                 Criteria for selecting studies for this review:

                         Types of studies*

                         Types of participants*

                         Types of interventions*

                         Types of outcome measures*

                 Search methods for identification of studies*

                 Data collection and analysis*

        Results:

                 Description of studies*

                 Risk of bias in included studies*

                 Effects of interventions*

        Discussion*

        Authors’ conclusions:

                 Implication for practice*

                 Implication for research*

         Acknowledgements

         References:

                 References to studies:

                         Included studies

                         Excluded studies

                         Studies awaiting classification

                         Ongoing studies

                 Other references:

                         Additional references

                         Other published versions of this review

         Tables and figures:

                 Characteristics of studies:

                         Characteristics of included studies (includes ‘Risk of bias’ tables)

                         Characteristics of excluded studies

                         Characteristics of studies awaiting assessment

                         Characteristics of ongoing studies

                 ‘Summary of findings’ tables

                 Additional tables

                 Figures

Supplementary information:

         Data and analyses

         Appendices

         Feedback:

                 Title

                 Summary

                 Reply

                 Contributors

About the article:

         Contributions of authors

         Declarations of interest*

         Differences between protocol and review

         Sources of support:

                 Internal sources

                 External sources

        Published notes