External Methodological Guidance

The following external synthesis methodologies have been endorsed for adoption by the JBI Scientific Committee as follows:

Systematic reviews of prevalence and incidence

The PERSyst (Prevalence Estimates Reviews – Systematic Review Methodology Group) is an academic, collaborative group, with the aim to develop and to disseminate methods for systematic reviews of prevalence and cumulative incidence. Methodological articles published by the group can be found here: https://persyst.group/ . Although this is an external methodology JBI’s synthesis software, JBI SUMARI, can support reviews of this nature.

Systematic reviews of diagnostic test accuracy

The Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Diagnostic Test Accuracy is the official guide that describes in detail the process of preparing and maintaining systematic reviews of test accuracy for Cochrane. The Handbook has been produced by the Cochrane Screening and Diagnostic Test Methods Group. It is a guide for those conducting systematic reviews of test accuracy and a reference for more experienced authors and is available at: https://training.cochrane.org/handbook-diagnostic-test-accuracy

Systematic reviews of measurement properties

Consensus based Standards for the selection of health Measurement Instruments (COSMIN) is an initiative of an international multidisciplinary team of researchers with a background in epidemiology, psychometrics, medicine, qualitative research, and healthcare who have expertise in the development and evaluation of outcome measurement instruments. A comprehensive user manual for systematic reviews of outcomes measurement instruments is available on the COSMIN website: https://www.cosmin.nl/tools/guideline-conducting-systematic-review-outcome-measures/