Home: Systematic and complex literature reviews: 9. Extract, synthesise, analyse

Data extraction

Extract the data

Use a data extraction form to gather data about the studies that have made it through your review steps. Data extraction templates may provide you with a starting point. These are available from a range of sources linked below. See also pages 52-53 of the Bettany-Saltikov article linked below for a description of the process.

Bettany-Saltikov, J. (2010) Learning how to undertake a systematic review: Part 2
Nursing Standard. 24(50), 47-55.
BMJ - Data extraction form
Cochrane Manual - Data collection tools
University of Sydney: Data extraction and appraisal

Synthesis and analysis

"Synthesis is a process of bringing together data from a set of included studies with the aim of drawing conclusions about a body of evidence. This will include synthesis of study characteristics and, potentially, statistical synthesis of study findings." (McKenzie et al., 2023)

Bettany-Saltikov, J. (2010) Learning how to undertake a systematic review: Part 2
Nursing Standard. 24(50), 47-55
See pages 54-55.
McKenzie, J., Brennan, S.E., Ryan, R.E., Thomson, H.J., & Johnston, R.V. Chapter 9: Summarizing study characteristics and preparing for synthesis.
In Higgins, J.P.T., Thomas, J., Chandler, J., Cumpston, M., Li, T., Page, M.J., Welch, V.A. (Eds). Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions version 6.4 (updated August 2023). Cochrane, 2023. www.training.cochrane.org/handbook.
University of Sydney: Analyse and interpret
University of York: Undertaking the review
Scroll down to section 1.3.5 Data synthesis

Systematic and complex literature reviews

Research Support Team

Library research support

Contact Info

Library contact

Data extraction

Extract the data

Synthesis and analysis

Synthesis and analysis

Further reading

Further reading