Data Extraction
Data Extraction
Whether you plan to perform a meta-analysis or not, you will need to establish a regimented approach to extracting data. Researchers often use a form or table to capture the data they will then summarize or analyze. The amount and types of data you collect, as well as the number of collaborators who will be extracting it, will dictate which extraction tools are best for your project. Programs like Excel or Google Spreadsheets may be the best option for smaller or more straightforward projects, while systematic review software platforms can provide more robust support for larger or more complicated data.
It is recommended that you pilot your data extraction tool (especially if you will code your data) to determine if fields should be added or clarified, or if the review team needs guidance in collecting and coding data.
Data Extraction Tools
Data Extraction Tools
Excel
Excel is the most basic tool for the management of the screening and data extraction stages of the systematic review process. Customized workbooks and spreadsheets can be designed for the review process. A more advanced approach to using Excel for this purpose is the PIECES approach, designed by Margaret Foster at Texas A&M. The PIECES workbook is downloadable at this drive link.
Covidence
Covidence is a software platform for managing independent title/abstract screening, full text screening, data extraction and risk of bias assessment in a systematic review project. Read more about how Covidence can help you customize extraction tables and export your extracted data.
RevMan
RevMan is free software used to manage Cochrane reviews. For an overview on RevMan, including how it may be used to extract and analyze data, watch the RevMan Web Quickstart Guide or check out the RevMan Knowledge Base.
SRDR
SRDR (Systematic Review Data Repository) is a Web-based tool for the extraction and management of data for systematic review or meta-analysis. It is also an open and searchable archive of systematic reviews and their data. Access the help page for more information.
DistillerSR
DistillerSR is a systematic review management software program, similar to Covidence. It guides reviewers in creating project-specific forms, extracting, and analyzing data.
JBI Sumari
JBI Sumari (the Joanna Briggs Institute System for the United Management, Assessment and Review of Information) is a systematic review software platform geared toward fields such as health, social sciences, and humanities. Among the other steps of a review project, it facilitates data extraction and data synthesis. View their short introductions to data extraction and analysis for more information.
The Systematic Review Toolbox (under construction)
The SR Toolbox is a community-driven, searchable, web-based catalogue of tools that support the systematic review process across multiple domains. Use the advanced search option to restrict to tools specific to data extraction.
Additional Information
Additional Information
These resources offer additional information and examples of data extraction forms:
- Brown, S. A., Upchurch, S. L., & Acton, G. J. (2003). A framework for developing a coding scheme for meta-analysis. Western Journal of Nursing Research, 25(2), 205–222. https://doi.org/10.1177/0193945902250038
- Elamin, M. B., Flynn, D. N., Bassler, D., Briel, M., Alonso-Coello, P., Karanicolas, P. J., … Montori, V. M. (2009). Choice of data extraction tools for systematic reviews depends on resources and review complexity. Journal of Clinical Epidemiology, 62(5), 506–510. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclinepi.2008.10.016
- Li T, Higgins JPT, Deeks JJ (editors). Chapter 5: Collecting data. In: Higgins JPT, Thomas J, Chandler J, Cumpston M, Li T, Page MJ, Welch VA (editors). Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions version 6.4 (updated August 2023). Cochrane, 2023. Available from www.training.cochrane.org/handbook.
- Research guide from the George Washington University Himmelfarb Health Sciences Library: https://guides.himmelfarb.gwu.edu/c.php?g=27797&p=170447