Evidence Synthesis: Data Extraction

Check each included study for any potential retractions or corrections before beginning data extraction.

Search for each study using the following:

This stage of review involves extracting data your final set of included articles. This data is then used in the final synthesis forming the basis of the final manuscript.

The research team will: 

1. Create a data extraction form
2. Pilot the form with a subset of the final articles
3. Two team members independently collect data from the studies into the form
4. Resolve disagreements in data extraction
5. Contact authors for required data not reported
6. Review the data collected for errors

Potential data for extraction includes:

• Citation information
• Elements of your research question
• Your inclusion/exclusion criteria
• Information about the study
• Patient or population information
• Intervention descriptors
• Outcomes

*Please note that MWU librarians do not provide data extraction advice, but are happy to provide research teams with resources to aid in the process.

Consider the data to be presented in your 'summary of findings' table.

Covidence offers two routes for data extraction: data extraction 1 vs data extraction 2.

1. Buchter RB, Weise A, Pieper D. Development, testing and use of data extraction forms in systematic reviews: a review of methodological guidance. BMC Med Res Methodol. 2020;20(1):259. doi:10.1186/s12874-020-01143-3
2. Pollock D, Peters MDJ, Khalil H, et al. Recommendations for the extraction, analysis, and presentation of results in scoping reviews. JBI Evid Synth. 2023;21(3):520-532. doi:10.11124/JBIES-22-00123
3. Taylor KS, Mahtani KR, Aronson JK. Summarising good practice guidelines for data extraction for systematic reviews and meta-analysis. BMJ Evid Based Med. 2021;26(3):88-90. doi:10.1136/bmjebm-2020-111651
4. Hilgart J, Miles C, Chase J. How to present an informative summary of findings table for systematic reviews of interventions: A tutorial. Cochrane Évid Synth Methods. 2024;2(6). doi:10.1002/cesm.12093