Choice of data extraction tools for systematic reviews depends on resources and review complexity.
OBJECTIVE
To assist investigators planning, coordinating, and conducting systematic reviews in the selection of data-extraction tools for conducting systematic reviews.


METHODS
We constructed an initial table listing available data-collection tools and reflecting our experience with these tools and their performance. An international group of experts iteratively reviewed the table and reflected on the performance of the tools until no new insights and consensus resulted.


RESULTS
Several tools are available to manage data in systematic reviews, including paper and pencil, spreadsheets, web-based surveys, electronic databases, and web-based specialized software. Each tool offers benefits and drawbacks: specialized web-based software is well suited in most ways, but is associated with higher setup costs. Other approaches vary in their setup costs and difficulty, training requirements, portability and accessibility, versatility, progress tracking, and the ability to manage, present, store, and retrieve data.


CONCLUSIONS
Available funding, number and location of reviewers, data needs, and the complexity of the project should govern the selection of a data-extraction tool when conducting systematic reviews.
Elamin
Mohamed B
MB
Knowledge and Encounter Research Unit, College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
Flynn
David N
DN
Bassler
Dirk
D
Briel
Matthias
M
Alonso-Coello
Pablo
P
Karanicolas
Paul Jack
PJ
Guyatt
Gordon H
GH
Malaga
German
G
Furukawa
Toshiaki A
TA
Kunz
Regina
R
Schünemann
Holger
H
Murad
Mohammad Hassan
MH
Barbui
Corrado
C
Cipriani
Andrea
A
Montori
Victor M
VM
D003625:Data Collection / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D015201:Meta-Analysis as Topic; D012984:Software; D000078202:Systematic Reviews as Topic