Framework step | Modifications needed? |
---|---|
Specify research question | Yes – not usually a comparator, no outcome |
Protocol | No – basic general step of systematic review |
Systematic search | No – basic general step of systematic review |
Defining eligibility criteria and screening studies | No – basic general step of systematic review |
Data extraction | Yes – new data extraction categories and items are needed |
Risk of bias assessment | Yes – risk of bias tools need to be adapted to prevalence study designs |
Synthesis | Yes – meta-analyses need to account for ceilings and floors for prevalence and levels of exposure |
Certainty of body of evidence assessment | Yes – certainty assessment frameworks need to be adapted for prevalence evidence |