AG-T02: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis — PROSPERO Registration, PRISMA 2020, and Full IMRaD Structure for Evidence Synthesis
A Step-by-Step Guide to Systematic Reviews for Publication in the Georgian Medical Journal
Keywords:
systematic review, meta-analysis, PRISMA 2020, PROSPERO registration, evidence synthesis, research methodology, IMRaD structure, PICO framework, heterogeneity, I-squared, forest plot, academic publishing, GMJ AcademyAbstract
The GMJ Author Toolkit (AG-T02) provides a comprehensive, self-contained guide for the preparation and submission of Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses in accordance with international standards. The document outlines the full methodological pathway, including mandatory PROSPERO pre-registration, application of PRISMA 2020 reporting guidelines, and adherence to the IMRaD structure.
The guide is organized into three integrated components: (1) theoretical foundations distinguishing systematic reviews from narrative reviews, including definitions of key methodological concepts such as heterogeneity, forest plots, and PICO framework; (2) a detailed pre-submission checklist aligned with journal requirements; and (3) a complete worked example demonstrating PROSPERO registration, database search strategy, PRISMA flowchart, and meta-analysis reporting with effect sizes and confidence intervals.
By combining practical guidance with internationally recognized reporting standards, this resource aims to improve methodological rigor, ensure reproducibility, and support authors in producing high-quality evidence syntheses suitable for publication in the Georgian Medical Journal.
References
[1] Page MJ, McKenzie JE, Bossuyt PM, Boutron I, Hoffmann TC, Mulrow CD, et al. The PRISMA 2020 statement: an updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. BMJ. 2021;372:n71. doi:10.1136/bmj.n71
[2] Liberati A, Altman DG, Tetzlaff J, Mulrow C, Gotzsche PC, Ioannidis JP, et al. The PRISMA statement for reporting systematic reviews and meta-analyses. PLoS Med. 2009;6(7):e1000097.
[3] Higgins JP, Thomas J, Chandler J, Cumpston M, Li T, Page MJ, et al., editors. Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. Version 6.4. Cochrane; 2023. Available from: https://training.cochrane.org/handbook
[4] Sterne JA, Sutton AJ, Ioannidis JP, Terrin N, Jones DR, Lau J, et al. Recommendations for examining and interpreting funnel plot asymmetry in meta-analyses of randomised controlled trials. BMJ. 2011;343:d4002.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Giorgi Pkhakadze
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