Tools for Reviews and EBM
Covidence https://community.cochrane.org/help/tools-and-software/covidence
Covidence is the primary tool developed and used by Cochrane for finding relevant studies (screening), to extract data and to do a Risk of Bias-assessment in the included studies. Covidence is a web application that runs across devices on any modern browser. The tool is designed to make reviews more efficient and is following the Cochrane Method for screening and data extraction. The tool is free to use if you conduct a Cochrane systematic review, but requires a subscription to use for non-Cochrane systematic reviews. At the moment (2020) it is available to use for everyone within Lund University.
EPPI-Reviewer https://training.cochrane.org/resource/eppi-reviewer
EPPI-Reviewer, developed by the EPPI-Centre at University College London, is a recommended web-based tool for Cochrane authors to support the development of systematic reviews from study screening through data collection, analysis and synthesis. It supports authors and editors in writing all types of reviews, particularly in complex areas including meta-analysis, framework synthesis, and thematic synthesis. EPPI-Reviewer is free to use for Cochrane author, but requires a subscription for other reviews. The latest version is a pure web application that runs across devices on any modern browser.
RevMan 5 is the software used to help authors, step by step, in preparing and writing a systematic review. It includes writing the content of the review, characteristics of studies, comparison tables, and study data. It can perform meta-analysis of the data entered, and present the results graphically. It is free for everyone to use.
Revman Web https://training.cochrane.org/online-learning/core-software-cochrane-reviews/revman
RevMan Web is the online platform recommended for Cochrane intervention and flexible reviews. It has the same features as RevMan 5 but has the advantage of being online making it possible for several people to work on the review at once. It also has additional features to make review production more efficient. At the moment (2020) the platform is only available for authors in Cochrane Reviews.
Rayyan https://rayyan.qcri.org/welcome
Rayyan is a web application to help systematic review authors. Rayyan is developed at Qatar Computing Research Institute. Authors create systematic reviews, collaborate on them, maintain them over time and get suggestions for article inclusion. The application is at the moment (2020) free to use for everyone.
Screen4Me beta https://community.cochrane.org/sites/default/files/uploads/S4M_Users_FAQs.pdf
Screen4Me is a service designed to help review teams get through the screening of search results much more quickly without compromising on quality. It’s made up of three components: Previously known assessments of a study, an RCT Classifier, and Cochrane Crowd which is made up of people outside of the review helping out with screening. Screen4Me is currently just for use on Cochrane Intervention Reviews.
Cochrane Library-app https://www.cochrane.org/news/cochrane-library-app
The Cochrane Library App presents the latest up-to-date evidence from the Cochrane Library in a convenient, easy to navigate format which provides you with relevant, accessible research, when you need it, from the world’s leading experts in evidence-informed health care. All content in the app is free and new issues will download regularly.
Risk of Bias – the risk of a systematic error or deviation from the truth, in results or inferences – can be assessed by different instruments according to how the trial was designed. You can access all resources related to Risk of Bias created by or in collaboration with Cochrane. It includes full guidance, tutorials, cribsheets, templates and excel tools for Risk of Bias 2, ROBINS-I and RoB ME.
GRADE-tools https://www.gradeworkinggroup.org/
GRADE is a common, sensible and transparent approach to grading quality (or certainty) of evidence and strength of recommendations. You can find information and tools related to GRADE and you can also access a free web application - GRADEpro GDT - which helps you to do a GRADE evaluation to include in a systematic review or in a guideline which can be found here.
Involving People is a free resource for systematic review authors and editors to provide support in getting people involved in the production of your reviews (including Cochrane Consumers: patients, their families and carers, as well as other members of the public; and health care teams). The resource will let you explore best practice and practical suggestions for finding and involving people throughout the review process; including useful resources, guidance documents, interviews about first hand experiences, and links to case studies and examples of good practice.