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Systematic Reviews

Systematic Review and Evidence Synthesis Services

A systematic review is a structured, reproducible method for identifying, appraising, and synthesizing all available evidence on a specific research question, following Cochrane Handbook methodology and PRISMA 2020 reporting standards. ScribeLabWriter supports every stage of evidence synthesis through a suite of specialist services. This overview is your starting point. Use it to find the service that matches where you are in the process, whether you need a complete review managed from protocol to manuscript, a single stage such as search strategy development or screening, or a different synthesis type such as a meta-analysis or scoping review.

Whether you are working in health sciences, nursing, psychology, education, social sciences, or another discipline, we match you with a researcher whose academic background aligns with your field and the methodological demands of your review.

We also support funded research teams through our pharmaceutical and regulatory and HTA and market access services. For UK-based researchers, see our systematic review support for UK researchers.

We follow the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions (version 6.5, 2024), the PRISMA 2020 Statement (Page et al., BMJ, 2021), and the JBI Manual for Evidence Synthesis (2024 edition) depending on the review type. Every review receives dual-reviewer screening with documented inter-rater agreement, risk of bias assessment using validated tools (RoB 2, ROBINS-I, QUADAS-2, Newcastle-Ottawa Scale), and a GRADE certainty of evidence rating where applicable.

Services We Provide for Systematic Reviews

Systematic Review Writing

Full protocol-to-manuscript support for systematic reviews targeting peer-reviewed journals, doctoral theses, or institutional reports, following Cochrane Handbook methodology and PRISMA 2020 reporting. This is our most requested service, with delivery in 1 to 10 weeks and pricing from $850.

See the full process, deliverables, timeline tiers, and pricing on the dedicated page.

Learn more about our Systematic Review Writing Service

Meta-Analysis and Statistical Synthesis

Effect size calculation, forest plots, funnel plots, heterogeneity assessment (I-squared, tau-squared), publication bias testing, subgroup analysis, sensitivity analysis, meta-regression, and GRADE Summary of Findings tables. All analyses delivered with reproducible R or Stata code.

Learn more about our Meta-Analysis Service

Scoping Review Writing

Evidence mapping using JBI methodology (Aromataris and Munn, 2024) with PRISMA-ScR reporting (Tricco et al., 2018). Scoping reviews are the right choice when you need to map the breadth of evidence on a topic, identify research gaps, or inform a future systematic review.

Learn more about our Scoping Review Service

Screening, Data Extraction, and Risk of Bias Assessment

Dual-reviewer title and abstract screening, full-text screening with documented exclusion reasons, standardized data extraction, and risk of bias assessment using RoB 2 (RCTs), ROBINS-I (non-randomized studies), QUADAS-2 (diagnostic accuracy), Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (observational), or CASP (qualitative).

Learn more about our Screening, Data Extraction, and Risk of Bias Assessment Service

Protocol Development and PROSPERO Registration

PRISMA-P-compliant protocol development and PROSPERO registration support. We prepare the full protocol document and complete the registration fields so you can submit to PROSPERO before screening begins, as required by most journals and the Cochrane Handbook.

Learn more about our Protocol and PROSPERO Service

Search Strategy Development

Reproducible, multi-database search strategies with Boolean operators, MeSH and Emtree subject headings, and database-specific syntax translation across PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Cochrane CENTRAL, Scopus, Web of Science, and PsycINFO. Every strategy is built to PRESS standards (McGowan et al., Journal of Clinical Epidemiology, 2016).

Learn more about our Search Strategy Service

Response to Peer Reviewers and Manuscript Revision

Point-by-point reviewer response letters, manuscript revision, PRISMA compliance correction, additional analyses requested by reviewers, and resubmission preparation for a different journal after rejection.

Learn more about our Peer Review Response Service

Pharmaceutical and Regulatory Systematic Reviews

Submission-standard systematic literature reviews and evidence synthesis for pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and clinical research teams, built reproducibly and documented for audit. Confidentiality and NDA available as standard.

Learn more about our Pharmaceutical and Regulatory Service

HTA and Market Access Systematic Reviews

Clinical and economic systematic literature reviews, indirect treatment comparisons, and GRADE certainty assessments for HTA and reimbursement submissions, aligned to NICE, CADTH, PBAC, and the EU Joint Clinical Assessment.

Learn more about our HTA and Market Access Service

How We Compare

FeatureScribeLabWriterFreelancer PlatformsDIY / In-House
MethodologyCochrane Handbook v6.5, PRISMA 2020, JBI 2024Varies, often unverified claimsDepends on team expertise
ScreeningDual-reviewer with documented kappaTypically single reviewerRequires recruiting a second reviewer
Risk of BiasRoB 2, ROBINS-I, QUADAS-2, NOS, CASPOften skipped or incorrectly appliedLearning curve for each tool
GRADE AssessmentIncluded with Summary of Findings tableRarely includedRequires GRADEpro training
PRISMA 2020 ComplianceBuilt into every review from protocol to manuscriptOften uses the 2009 templateManual compliance checking required
Timeline1 to 10 weeks depending on tierUnpredictable, often delayedAverage 67.3 weeks (Borah et al., 2017)
RevisionsUnlimited until acceptanceTypically 1 to 2 roundsSelf-managed
Reproducible CodeR or Stata code with annotations includedRarely providedDepends on statistical expertise

Methodology Standards We Follow

We do not use proprietary or self-created methodology. Every review follows established, peer-reviewed standards that journals and committees recognize:

Our Team

Every project is led by a PhD-qualified methodologist with peer-reviewed publication experience. Your review is never outsourced to a generalist writer. It is conducted by a researcher who has published in your field and understands the methodological expectations of your target journal or committee.

Dr. Alina Grace / PhD Epidemiology / Meta-Analysis and Evidence Synthesis Lead

Specializes in quantitative evidence synthesis, forest plot generation, heterogeneity assessment, and GRADE certainty ratings. Experienced with R (metafor, meta), Stata, and RevMan.

Dr. James Decker / PhD Epidemiology

Specializes in systematic review methodology, risk of bias assessment (RoB 2, ROBINS-I), and protocol development for PROSPERO registration.

Sara Christina / MSc Clinical / Research RN / BSc Nursing Science

Specializes in nursing evidence synthesis, CINAHL and PubMed searching, JBI methodology, and clinical systematic reviews for BSN, MSN, and DNP students.

All team members are required to demonstrate peer-reviewed publication records and current expertise in their assigned review type. We do not use AI-generated content. Every word is written by a human researcher with verifiable credentials.

Ethics and Authorship

ScribeLabWriter provides professional research-support services consistent with the ICMJE (International Committee of Medical Journal Editors) recommendations on authorship and contributor roles. You retain full authorship and intellectual accountability for the work. Our role is methodological support, and we operate transparently within that boundary.

We recommend that all clients consult their supervisor, institutional review board, or department guidelines regarding the use of professional support services. Our work is designed to be acknowledged in the manuscript's acknowledgment section or declared as methodological support, in line with ICMJE and COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics) standards.

All projects are covered by a mutual confidentiality agreement. We do not disclose client identities, project details, or any aspect of the review to third parties. An NDA is available on request.

Frequently Asked Questions

What standards do you follow for systematic reviews?

We follow the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions (version 6.5, 2024) for methodology, PRISMA 2020 (Page et al., BMJ, 2021) for reporting, and the GRADE framework for certainty of evidence assessment. For scoping reviews, we follow the JBI Manual for Evidence Synthesis (2024) and PRISMA-ScR (Tricco et al., 2018). Risk of bias is assessed using the tool validated for the study design in your review (RoB 2 for RCTs, ROBINS-I for non-randomized studies, QUADAS-2 for diagnostic accuracy, CASP for qualitative research).

Will I remain the author of the review?

Yes, you retain full authorship of your systematic review and are accountable for the intellectual content. ScribeLabWriter provides methodological and writing support that you acknowledge in the manuscript. This is consistent with ICMJE authorship recommendations and COPE guidelines.

Which of your systematic review services do I need?

If you need a complete review managed from protocol to a publication-ready manuscript, see our Systematic Review Writing Service. If you have finished your search and need screening, data extraction, or risk of bias assessment, see our Screening, Data Extraction, and Risk of Bias Assessment Service. For quantitative pooling of results, see our Meta-Analysis Service. To map the breadth of evidence on a broad topic, see our Scoping Review Service. You can also order protocol and PROSPERO registration, search strategy development, or peer-review response on their own. Each service page lists its scope, deliverables, and timeline.

Do you register the protocol on PROSPERO?

Yes, we prepare a PRISMA-P-compliant protocol and complete the PROSPERO registration fields for you. PROSPERO is maintained by the University of York's Centre for Reviews and Dissemination, funded by the UK NIHR, and is free to use. Registration should ideally occur before screening begins, as most journals expect a PROSPERO ID at submission. Note that PROSPERO does not accept scoping reviews. Scoping review protocols can be registered on the Open Science Framework (OSF).

Is meta-analysis included in the systematic review service?

Narrative synthesis is included in every systematic review. Meta-analysis (quantitative pooling of results with forest plots, heterogeneity assessment, and publication bias testing) is available as an add-on or through our dedicated Meta-Analysis Service. Not every systematic review requires meta-analysis. If the included studies are too heterogeneous in design, population, or outcome measurement, narrative synthesis is the appropriate approach.

Can I order individual components instead of the full review?

Yes, you can order any stage of the systematic review as a standalone service: protocol development, search strategy, screening and data extraction, risk of bias assessment, meta-analysis, or manuscript writing. Many clients come to us at a specific stage where they need expert support rather than beginning from scratch.

How do I get started?

Submit your project details through our enquiry form. Include your research question or topic, your deadline, your target journal or program, and a brief description of what you need. We will respond within 2-4 business hours with a detailed scope assessment, a matched methodologist recommendation, and a quote. There is no obligation and no account required.

Ready to Get Your Quote?

Describe your project and a PhD specialist will reply with an itemized quote within 2-4 business hours. No signup, no payment, no obligation.

Prefer email? Send your project details to info@scribelabwriter.com

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