Project: New Review Format

Aims

The New Review Format project focuses on developing and implementing changes to the format of Cochrane reviews and the associated data to help streamline Cochrane’s systems and processes. This project aims to:

• Simplify the way Cochrane evidence syntheses are developed and published.

• Improve the author, editor and peer reviewer experience by streamlining processes and making Cochrane a more attractive publishing option.

• Improve the reader experience by making Cochrane reviews and the associated data more accessible and easier to use.

• Develop the foundations to be able to innovate in how we share and use Cochrane content.

What’s been happening

• Update on the new review format project which is introducing changes to review and data formats (webinar, May 2023)

• What you need to know about improvements to data management in RevMan (news, May 2023)

• How study centric data management in RevMan streamlines systematic review production (May 2023(

• Study centric data analysis and data management in RevMan: methodological background and practical application (May 2023)

• Cochrane has improved the way we manage and share the data associated with our reviews (news, May 2023)

• Reporting standards: changes to help create practical and sustainable Cochrane Reviews (news, June 2023)

• Creating a Focused Review Article: Improvements for Authors (news, July 2023)

• Changes to the review format with study centric data and a focused review article: What does it mean for authors? (October 2023)

• Developing an effective ‘Overview of included studies and syntheses’ table (December 2023)

• Introducing Cochrane’s Focused Review Format template: an essential tool for authors

Milestones & timeline

Changes to data management in RevMan - Completed, April 2023:

• Study centric data functionality became default and recommended for all new reviews, including data extraction import; use not mandatory.

• Data package export available within RevMan and improved sharing of data associated with published reviews.

Launch of a focused review format – Completed, September 2023:

• Feature available and optional for authors.

• Includes use of new review templates, supplementary materials and publishing standard reporting guidelines.

• All submissions to Central Editorial Service must use the focus review format from 1 April 2024

Project lead

Ella Flemyng & Gert van Valkenhoef