Authors: Holger J Schünemann, Andrew D Oxman, Julian PT Higgins, Gunn E Vist, Paul Glasziou and Gordon H Guyatt on behalf of the Cochrane Applicability and Recommendations Methods Group and the Cochrane Statistical Methods Group.
Key points
Tables and figures help to present included studies and their findings in a systematic and clear format;
Forest plots are the standard way to illustrate results of individual studies and meta-analyses. These can be generated using Review Manager software, and a selection of them can be selected for inclusion in the body of a Cochrane review;
A ‘Summary of findings’ table provides key information concerning the quality of evidence, the magnitude of effect of the interventions examined, and the sum of available data on all important outcomes;
The Abstract of a Cochrane review should be targeted primarily at healthcare decision makers (including clinicians, informed consumers and policy makers); and a ‘Plain language summary conveys the findings in a straightforward style that can be understood by consumers of health care.
11.2 Characteristics of included studies tables
11.5 ‘Summary of findings’ tables
11.7 Presenting results in the text
Box 11.8.a: Hypothetical example of an abstract