Systematic Review Data Extraction Template

This Excel workbook gives you one row per study with 20 columns, dropdowns for design, effect measure and risk of bias, and a codebook sheet defining each field.

What is inside

• Extraction sheet: study ID, design, population, intervention, comparator, outcome, effect and 95% CI, bias, notes
• Dropdown lists to keep entries consistent
• Columns for extractor, verifier and date
• Codebook sheet explaining each column

How to use it

1. Pilot the sheet on 3–5 studies and edit columns before full extraction.
2. Have two reviewers extract independently, or one extracts and one verifies.
3. Enter NR (not reported) rather than 0 for missing values.
4. Keep the original file and log every change to the columns.

Example (illustrative)

A row might begin: Smith 2019 | RCT | Country: Kenya | N: 240 | Effect: RR 0.78. (Illustrative values, not a real study.)

Limitations and cautions

The columns are generic. Adapt them to your protocol before extraction begins, and note that the sheet does not calculate pooled effects or heterogeneity: use statistical software or a statistician for analysis. The file is free to use and edit, and the footer credits MedResearch Ninja.

MRN templates are original, editable starting points. Reporting standards (PRISMA, CARE, ICMJE and others) belong to their authors: use the official versions linked above for formal submissions.