research-synthesis

name	research-synthesis
description	Medical literature synthesis, evidence grading, systematic review methodology, and clinical research interpretation
metadata	{"version":"1.0.0","author":"HALO Core","tags":["medical","research","evidence-synthesis","literature-review"]}

Research Synthesis Skill

Use this skill when conducting literature reviews, synthesizing medical research, or evaluating clinical evidence.

When to Use

• Systematic literature searches
• Evidence synthesis for clinical questions
• Quality assessment of studies
• Writing literature reviews
• Translating research to clinical practice

Research Synthesis Framework

1. Question Formulation (PICO)

Structure the clinical question:

• Population: Who is the patient/population?
• Intervention: What is the exposure/treatment?
• Comparison: What is the alternative?
• Outcome: What outcomes are important?

2. Search Strategy

• Define search terms
• Select databases (PubMed, Cochrane, Embase)
• Include/exclude criteria
• Document the search process

3. Study Evaluation

Assess each study for:

• Study design
• Sample size
• Follow-up duration
• Bias risk
• Funding sources

4. Evidence Synthesis

Combine findings:

• Forest plots when appropriate
• Heterogeneity assessment
• Sensitivity analyses
• Subgroup analyses

5. Grading

Rate evidence quality:

GRADE System:
- High: Further research unlikely to change confidence
- Moderate: Further research may change confidence
- Low: Further research likely to change confidence
- Very Low: Any estimate is very uncertain

Evidence Hierarchy

Level	Quality	Type
1a	High	Systematic review of RCTs
1b	High	Individual RCT with narrow CI
2a	Moderate	Systematic review of cohort
2b	Moderate	Individual cohort study
3a	Low	Systematic review of case-control
3b	Low	Individual case-control
4	Very Low	Case series
5	Very Low	Expert opinion

Critical Appraisal

RCTs (CONSORT)

• Randomization method
• Allocation concealment
• Blinding
• Follow-up
• ITT analysis

Observational (STROBE)

• Selection bias
• Confounding
• Exposure measurement
• Outcome assessment
• Follow-up adequacy

Systematic Reviews (PRISMA)

• Search methodology
• Study selection
• Quality assessment
• Synthesis method

Output Structure

Literature Summary:
Clinical Question: [PICO]

Search Results:
- Databases searched
- Studies identified
- Studies included

Evidence Summary:
[Study 1]: Design, n, results, quality
[Study 2]: Design, n, results, quality

Synthesis:
- Overall effect estimate
- Heterogeneity (I²)
- Publication bias

Recommendations:
- Strength of recommendation
- Clinical applicability
- Research gaps

Reporting Standards

• CONSORT: Randomized trials
• STROBE: Observational studies
• PRISMA: Systematic reviews
• MOOSE: Meta-analyses of observational
• CARE: Case reports

Best Practices

• Pre-register protocols
• Document search strategy
• Include flow diagrams
• Rate evidence quality
• Acknowledge limitations
• Provide clinical context
• Cite properly (PMID, DOI)