Instructions

Find a report from the Evidence$-$based Practice Center Reports on healthcare technologies and

strategies.

https:$//$www$.$ahrq.gov$/$research$/$findings$/$evidence$-$based$-$reports$/$search$.$html

Select a report protocol published between $2022-2024$: The protocol is the guide and roadmap for the

HTA.

Review the protocol and check if these items are reported.

This checklist in Chapter IV of the course text describes the expected items in a Systematic Review.

Though the checklist is used to review a complete systematic review, it indicates what the protocol

should entail. Does the protocol include information highlighted in this checklist?

Summarize the methods proposed for the HTA in half$-$page.

Section$/$topic # Checklist item Does the protocol? Reported

on page #

TITLE

Title $1$ Identify the report as a systematic review, meta$-$analysis, or both.

ABSTRACT

Structured summary $2$

Provide a structured summary including, as applicable:

background; objectives; data sources; study eligibility criteria,

participants, and interventions; study appraisal and synthesis

methods; results; limitations; conclusions and implications of key

findings; systematic review registration number.

INTRODUCTION

Rationale $3$ Describe the rationale for the review in the context of what is

already known.

Objectives $4$

Provide an explicit statement of questions being addressed with

reference to participants, interventions, comparisons, outcomes,

and study design $($PICOS$).$

METHODS

Protocol and

registration $5$

Indicate if a review protocol exists, if and where it can be accessed

$($e$.$g$.,$ Web address$),$ and, if available, provide registration

information including registration number.

Eligibility criteria $6$

In the methods section, does it specify study characteristics $($e$.$g$.,$

PICOS, length of follow$-$up$)$ and report characteristics $($e$.$g$.,$ years

considered, language, publication status$)$ used as criteria for

eligibility, giving rationale.

Information sources $7$

Describe all information sources $($e$.$g$.,$ databases with dates of

coverage, contact with study authors to identify additional studies$)$

in the search and date last searched.

Search $8$ Present full electronic search strategy for at least one database,

including any limits used, such that it could be repeated.

Study selection $9$

State the process for selecting studies $($i$.$e$.,$ screening, eligibility,

included in systematic review, and, if applicable, included in the

meta$-$analysis$).$

Data collection

process $10$

Describe method of data extraction from reports $($e$.$g$.,$ piloted

forms, independently, in duplicate$)$ and any processes for

obtaining and confirming data from investigators.

Data items $11$

List and define all variables for which data were sought $($e$.$g$.,$

PICOS, funding sources$)$ and any assumptions and simplifications

made.

Risk of bias in

individual studies $12$

Describe methods used for assessing risk of bias of individual

studies $($including specification of whether this was done at the

study or outcome level$),$ and how this information is to be used in

any data synthesis.