What do Cochrane Systematic Reviews look like

Cochrane Systematic Reviews have a fixed format that is fixed by the computer programme RevMan. The title follows the pico-format such as 'workplace interventions for treating asthma in workers'. Since Cochrane Reviews are only published in an electronic format the documentation of the review process can be extensive. The exact search strategies are provided as an appendix to the review. In the methods section the criteria for inclusion of the studies are operationalised. Usually only randomised controlled trials, controlled before after studies and interrupted timeseries are included as study designs. Cochrane Reviews contain an extensive description of the included studies as to the participants, interventions and outcomes. The results are preferably presented in so called forest plots that give a graphical presentation of the effects of the interventions in the included studies and if possible an estimate of the summary effect size. The risk of bias of individual studies is assessed and present accross studies and per study. Sensitivity analyses will reveal the influence of study quality on the summary effect size. All Cochrane Reviews end with implications for practice and implications for research but do not make recommendations to use or not to use interventions. To be able to make recommendations, also other factors such as patient/employer preferences and budget impact should be taken into account. Usually, this is part of a guideline process for which Cochrane Reviews serve as input.