Session 2.5: Introduction to Systematic Review Software

Conceptual foundation 45 minutes Interactive lecture + group discussion
Session Objective: By the end of this session, participants will be able to describe the purpose, types, and key features of systematic review software platforms, and identify how these tools support evidence synthesis across planning, conducting, and reporting phases.

2.5.1 Why Use Software for Systematic Reviews?

Systematic reviews are methodologically intensive, requiring coordination across multiple reviewers, management of hundreds or thousands of records, and transparent documentation of decisions. Software platforms address key challenges:

📚 Large volume of studies
Centralized libraries with deduplication
🤝 Team coordination
Role-based access, assignment tracking
📋 Reproducibility
Audit trails, version control, PRISMA documentation
⚖️ Bias reduction
Dual-reviewer workflows, conflict resolution
⚡ Time efficiency
AI-assisted screening and query building

2.5.2 Types of Systematic Review Software

Screening & Data Extraction
Covidence, Rayyan, RevProHub
Title/abstract/full-text screening, data extraction
Reference Management
EndNote, Zotero, Mendeley
Citation storage, deduplication, formatting
Meta-Analysis
RevMan, JBI SUMARI, R (meta)
Statistical synthesis, forest plots
Full-Service Platforms
RevProHub, DistillerSR, EPPI-Reviewer
End-to-end: protocol to publication

2.5.3 Key Features to Evaluate When Choosing Software

  • Collaboration support (real-time, role-based)
  • AI assistance (query building, screening prioritization)
  • Reporting tools (PRISMA diagrams, export options)
  • Cost & accessibility (free vs. subscription, offline availability)
  • Standards alignment (Cochrane, JBI, PRISMA compliance)
2.5.4 The Role of AI in Modern Systematic Review Software
Current AI capabilities include: query refinement (PICO to database syntax), screening prioritization, data extraction assistance (identifying outcomes in PDFs), and conflict prediction.
Important: AI augments, does not replace, human judgment. All AI-assisted decisions must be verified by reviewers.

2.5.5 RevProHub in the Software Landscape

RevProHub is a free, full-service platform developed for the Ethiopian evidence synthesis community. It combines end-to-end workflow management (Planning → Conducting → Reporting), AI-assisted query building and chat refinement, mediator role for conflict resolution, 1‑to‑many repeater logic for qualitative synthesis, and automated PRISMA 2020 + Risk of Bias visualizations.

Discussion Activity (10 min)
In small groups, discuss:
1️⃣ What software (if any) have you used for literature reviews?
2️⃣ What was the biggest challenge you faced?
3️⃣ What features would be most valuable for your current work?

Session 2.6: Introduction to RevProHub Software

HANDS-ON + Master Architecture 90 min workshop
Session Objective: By the end of this session, participants will be able to register for RevProHub, navigate global and project-specific dashboards, create a new project, invite team members with appropriate roles, and understand the three‑phase workflow architecture.

2.6.1 What is RevProHub?

RevProHub is a free, comprehensive web‑based platform supporting any systematic review or evidence synthesis project end‑to‑end. Core features: project creation & planning, protocol versioning, AI‑assisted search query builder, dual‑reviewer screening with conflict resolution, flexible data extraction (including repeater fields for qualitative data), meta‑analysis, automatic PRISMA 2020 diagrams, manuscript editor with auto‑injected findings, WBS/Gantt, and collaboration hub.

RevProHub conceptual dashboard overview
Figure 1: RevProHub high‑level interface (illustrative).

2.6.2 Registration & Account Setup

1 Go to www.reviprohub.com/register (institutional or personal email accepted).
2 Complete registration form & verify email (activation link).
3 Log in & use "Reset Password" if needed.
RevProHub Registration Interface
Figure 2: RevProHub Registration Interface (illustrative).

2.6.3 The Navigation Ecosystem: Context-Aware Sidebar

The platform uses a Context-Aware Sidebar — navigation options adapt whether you are on the global dashboard or inside a specific project.

Global Dashboard
View all projects, track personal tasks, read announcements.
Project Dashboard
Mission Control: live stats (screening progress, pending conflicts, library totals).
Sidebar menu structure — Global: My Dashboard, All Projects, Announcements, My Tasks. Project‑specific: Project Overview → Planning → Conducting → Reporting → Collaboration Hub → Project Admin.
Navigation Sidebar Comparison
Figure 3: Global dashboard vs. project‑specific navigation.

2.6.4 Creating a New Project

1 Click "Create New Project" on main dashboard.
2 Enter Project Name, Description, Start Date.
3 Select Project Type (Meta‑Analysis, Qualitative Synthesis, Scoping Review, Mixed Methods) — aligns with evidence hierarchy.
4 Optional budget for administrative tracking → Click "Create".
After creation, you are automatically redirected to the Project Details page (Mission Control).

2.6.5 The Three Core Workflow Phases

📌 Planning (Blueprint)
Protocol, research questions, search strategy, QA forms, extraction forms.
⚙️ Conducting (Engine)
Studies library, deduplication, screening, quality appraisal, data extraction.
📊 Reporting (Synthesis)
PRISMA diagram, data synthesis, report generator, manuscript editor.
AI Query Builder & Refinement Chat Room: Create complex PubMed/Hinari queries using PICO, then iteratively refine based on search performance – directly within the planning phase.

2.6.6 Members & Access Control (Roles + Mediator)

Add team members: navigate to Members & Access → Invite Member → assign role.

Admin/Manager Full control: settings, assignments, all modules. Reviewer Screening, appraisal, extraction (dual-review assignments). Mediator Resolve conflicts only on assigned studies (study‑specific, not global).
Mediator role: designed for conflict resolution workflows – assigned per conflicting study, not a global super‑reviewer. This reduces bias and improves transparency.
Members Invitation
Figure 4: Assigning team roles, including Mediator.

2.6.7 Project Dashboard: Key Stats Cards

Unique Studies
T/A Screening Progress
Pending Conflicts
Potential Duplicates

Navigation cards directly open Planning, Conducting, or Reporting dashboards.

2.6.8 Help & Support

User Guide
Detailed step‑by‑step documentation via left sidebar.
Contact Support
Submit tickets or book technical support sessions.
Session 2.6 Hands‑On Activity: System Discovery (20 min)
  1. Register for RevProHub (or log in).
  2. Create a new project titled: "[Your Name] Pilot Review" – select a project type of your choice.
  3. Navigate to Members & Access and invite a partner (assign as Reviewer).
  4. Observe how the sidebar menu changes when you enter the project context.
  5. Navigate to Planning → Research Questions & Eligibility and note where inclusion frameworks are stored.
  6. Return to the Project Dashboard and identify the three‑phase navigation cards.

Debrief questions:

  • What information is displayed on the stats cards?
  • How does the Mediator role differ from Reviewer?
  • Where would you go to export all screening decisions?
  • In which phase (Planning/Conducting/Reporting) would you develop data extraction forms? Why?

Additional: Mediator vs. Traditional Senior Reviewer & Export Center

The Mediator in RevProHub is assigned only to specific studies in conflict, ensuring focus and preventing unnecessary authority over all decisions. In contrast, traditional "senior reviewer" often has blanket authority. Data extraction forms are created during the Planning phase (to pre‑specify variables). The Export Center (Project Settings) allows downloading screening decisions, PRISMA data, RoB tables, and the full study library in multiple formats.

Data Export And Settings
Figure 5: Export Center – one‑click downloads for PRISMA, risk of bias, and study data.
Key takeaway: RevProHub provides a unified environment that implements best practices of evidence synthesis: protocol to publication, real‑time collaboration, AI assistance, and transparent conflict resolution.

📌 Module 2 Reflection & Integration

  • How do structured frameworks (PICO/PICo/PCC) improve the precision of a review question?
  • Why is protocol registration (PROSPERO/OSF) essential for credibility?
  • What advantages does a full‑service platform like RevProHub offer over disconnected tools?
  • Explain the practical benefit of the “Mediator” role in reducing bias during screening conflicts.

Next steps: After mastering RevProHub navigation, participants will advance to protocol drafting and structured search translation using AI‑powered tools inside the Planning phase.