Systematic Review Protocol Development

📌Key Takeaways

1Systematic Review Protocol Development addresses: Researchers conducting systematic reviews for evidence-based medicine must comprehensively identify ...
2Implementation involves 4 key steps.
3Expected outcomes include Expected Outcome: Systematic reviewers using Connected Papers as a supplementary search method report identifying 15-25% additional relevant studies that were missed by traditional database searches alone. The visual approach also helps reviewers understand the structure of evidence and identify potential sources of heterogeneity in meta-analyses..
4Recommended tools: connected-papers.

The Problem

Researchers conducting systematic reviews for evidence-based medicine must comprehensively identify all relevant studies on a clinical question—missing important studies can invalidate the review's conclusions. Traditional systematic review methodology requires searching multiple databases with complex Boolean queries, screening thousands of abstracts, and manually tracking citation networks. This process is extremely time-consuming, often taking 6-12 months, and despite best efforts, relevant studies are frequently missed. The challenge is particularly acute for reviews spanning multiple disciplines or examining interventions studied under different names or in different contexts.

The Solution

Connected Papers enhances the systematic review process by providing visual citation network analysis that complements traditional database searches. After conducting initial searches in PubMed, EMBASE, and other databases, the researcher enters key included studies into Connected Papers to identify potentially missed papers through citation network analysis. The visual graph reveals clusters of related research that may use different terminology or be indexed in different databases. The Prior Works and Derivative Works features help ensure comprehensive backward and forward citation searching. By generating graphs from multiple seed papers across different research clusters, the reviewer can identify bridging papers that connect different research traditions and ensure no major body of evidence is overlooked.

Implementation Steps

Understand the Challenge

Pro Tips:

•Document current pain points
•Identify key stakeholders
•Set success metrics

Configure the Solution

Pro Tips:

•Start with recommended settings
•Customize for your workflow
•Test with sample data

Deploy and Monitor

1. Conduct traditional database searches per PRISMA guidelines 2. Screen results and identify key included studies 3. Enter 5-10 key studies into Connected Papers 4. Generate graphs and identify additional relevant clusters 5. Use Prior Works for backward citation searching 6. Use Derivative Works for forward citation searching 7. Cross-reference graph discoveries with database results 8. Document Connected Papers searches in review methodology 9. Update search strategy based on discovered terminology

Pro Tips:

•Start with a pilot group
•Track key metrics
•Gather user feedback

Optimize and Scale

Refine the implementation based on results and expand usage.

Pro Tips:

•Review performance weekly
•Iterate on configuration
•Document best practices

Expected Results

Expected Outcome

3-6 months

Systematic reviewers using Connected Papers as a supplementary search method report identifying 15-25% additional relevant studies that were missed by traditional database searches alone. The visual approach also helps reviewers understand the structure of evidence and identify potential sources of heterogeneity in meta-analyses.

ROI & Benchmarks

Typical ROI

250-400%

within 6-12 months

Time Savings

50-70%

reduction in manual work

Payback Period

2-4 months

average time to ROI

Cost Savings

$40-80K annually

Output Increase

2-4x productivity increase

Implementation Complexity

Technical Requirements

Medium2-4 weeks typical timeline

Prerequisites:

•Requirements documentation
•Integration setup
•Team training

Change Management

Medium

Moderate adjustment required. Plan for team training and process updates.

Recommended Tools

connected-papers

Frequently Asked Questions

Implementation typically takes 2-4 weeks. Initial setup can be completed quickly, but full optimization and team adoption requires moderate adjustment. Most organizations see initial results within the first week.

Companies typically see 250-400% ROI within 6-12 months. Expected benefits include: 50-70% time reduction, $40-80K annually in cost savings, and 2-4x productivity increase output increase. Payback period averages 2-4 months.

Technical complexity is medium. Basic technical understanding helps, but most platforms offer guided setup and support. Key prerequisites include: Requirements documentation, Integration setup, Team training.

AI Research augments rather than replaces humans. It handles 50-70% of repetitive tasks, allowing your team to focus on strategic work, relationship building, and complex problem-solving. The combination of AI automation + human expertise delivers the best results.

Track key metrics before and after implementation: (1) Time saved per task/workflow, (2) Output volume (systematic review protocol development completed), (3) Quality scores (accuracy, engagement rates), (4) Cost per outcome, (5) Team satisfaction. Establish baseline metrics during week 1, then measure monthly progress.