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Evidence Based Practice

PRISMA 2020

PRISMA stands for Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses, and was developed to help researchers report their search strategies in academic writing.

Apart from the Extensions for Scoping Reviews, for example, there are basically 4 PRISMA 2020 flowcharts or flow diagrams...

  • new systematic reviews for searching databases and registers
  • new systematic reviews for searching databases, registers and other sources
  • updated systematic reviews for searching databases and registers
  • updated systematic reviews for searching databases, registers and other sources

The Importance of Recording

Apart from the fact that Nursing students are required to include the PRISMA 2020 flow diagram in some of their modules, there are a number of reasons for its use:

  • Promotes Transparency
    • It clearly documents the selection process for sources, making the research process transparent and reproducible.
  • Enhances Credibility
    • By showing how sources were identified, screened, and included or excluded, it builds the credibility of the research.
  • Supports Critical Thinking
    • You can learn to justify their inclusion and exclusion criteria, fostering critical evaluation of sources.
  • Aligns with Standards
    • Many academic journals require PRISMA adherence, so using it prepares you for publishing and professional research.
  • Simplifies Reporting
    • It provides a standardized way to present complex information concisely, making it easier for your readers to understand.

Test your knowledge of PRISMA 2020