Methodology notes, from our own team.
Practical, specific guidance from our methodologists and consultants — not general advice you could find anywhere.
All articles
Effect Size Types in Meta-Analysis Explained
A plain-language explanation of the main effect size types used in meta-analysis, including odds ratio, risk ratio, and mean difference, and when to use each.
Aug 2026 · 3 min read · By Dr. Samuel Osei
PRISMA-P: Reporting Guideline for Systematic Review Protocols
What PRISMA-P is, how it differs from PRISMA 2020, and a walkthrough of its checklist for reporting systematic review protocols.
Aug 2026 · 3 min read · By James Okafor
GRADE-CERQual for Qualitative Evidence Synthesis
A practical guide to GRADE-CERQual, the framework for assessing confidence in findings from qualitative evidence synthesis, with all four components explained.
Aug 2026 · 3 min read · By Dr. Elena Kowalski
Rapid Reviews vs. Systematic Reviews: When Speed Matters
A rapid review streamlines specific steps of systematic review methodology to meet urgent timelines, but not every shortcut is equally defensible.
Aug 2026 · 5 min read · By Dr. Grace Mwangi
Umbrella Reviews Explained: When and How to Use Them
An umbrella review synthesizes existing systematic reviews rather than primary studies -- a genuinely different methodology with its own specific reporting expectations.
Aug 2026 · 5 min read · By Dr. Amara Chen
AMSTAR-2: Appraising the Quality of Systematic Reviews
A practical guide to AMSTAR-2, the tool for appraising the methodological quality of systematic reviews, with its 16 items and 7 critical domains explained.
Aug 2026 · 3 min read · By Dr. Lauren Ito
Newcastle-Ottawa Scale for Cohort and Case-Control Studies
A practical guide to the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale for appraising cohort and case-control studies in a systematic review, with each domain explained.
Aug 2026 · 3 min read · By Dr. Amara Chen
Living Systematic Reviews: What They Are and When to Use Them
A living systematic review is continuously updated as new evidence emerges, rather than published once and left static -- a genuinely different commitment, not just a review done more often.
Aug 2026 · 5 min read · By Dr. Priya Nair
PROSPERO Registration Guide: How to Register Your Protocol
PROSPERO registration is often treated as a formality, but the required fields demand real methodological specificity -- and getting it right the first time saves weeks.
Aug 2026 · 5 min read · By Dr. Priya Nair
Risk of Bias Assessment: RoB 2 vs. ROBINS-I
Applying the wrong risk-of-bias tool to your included studies is one of the fastest ways to draw a methods-reviewer objection. Here is how to choose correctly.
Aug 2026 · 1 min read · By Dr. Amara Chen
Rapid Review vs Systematic Review vs Scoping Review: How to Choose
A decision guide to help you choose between a rapid review, a systematic review, and a scoping review based on your question and timeline.
Aug 2026 · 3 min read · By Dr. Priya Nair
PRISMA 2020 Checklist: Item-by-Item Guide
A practical, item-by-item walkthrough of the PRISMA 2020 checklist and how to apply it while drafting your systematic review manuscript.
Aug 2026 · 3 min read · By James Okafor
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