The concept of defining a systematic review ‘question’ (the objective) and developing criteria for including studies in the review using the PICO framework is familiar to most review authors. However, additional steps are required to define the question addressed in each synthesis and plan analyses.

In this webinar, part of the Statistical analysis in systematic reviews series, the presenter gave an overview of guidance and tools for defining the synthesis questions to be addressed in a systematic review. Following the steps outlined in the framework for synthesis, which is described in chapter 9 of the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions, participants learnt how to plan their synthesis questions and determine which studies are eligible for each synthesis.

The session also covered the InSynQ (Intervention Synthesis Questions) checklist and guide which was developed to help authors plan and report the questions addressed in systematic reviews, and provided methods to underpin study centric data management and analysis as implemented in RevMan web.

This session was suitable for those wanting to learn more about how to plan and define synthesis questions. It's primarily aimed at Cochrane authors and trainers from Lower Middle Income Countries (LMICs). It was delivered in May 2025 and below you will find the videos from the webinar, together with the accompanying slides to download [PDF].

Part 1: Presentation
Part 2: Questions and answers

Presenter Bio

Sue Brennan, Cochrane Australia, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University. Sue’s expertise is in systematic review and guideline methodology, with a focus on evidence-informed decision-making in public health. She co-led the InSynQ tool for developing synthesis questions, is an author of four core chapters in the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions, and co-author of the PRISMA 2020, PRIOR and SWIM reporting guidelines. She has led over 40 reviews and methodological reviews commissioned by government to inform national guidelines and financing decisions. Through roles in the international GRADE working group and Cochrane, she works with researchers, policy-makers and health professionals to implement best practice methods in evidence synthesis and guideline development.