Following publication of a protocol a date to run the searches is agreed, if the authors are not running the searches themselves. Depending on how long it has been since the draft strategy was first created, a search may need to be checked and updated as subject headings may have changed or comments received following the publication of the protocol.

The CIS will run the searches and usually send a de-duplicated set of results to the author for screening. If a review is not published within 12 months of a search, top up searches will need to be run before publication, and it is good practice to run searches within 6 months of publication date.

The deadline for the submission of the first draft of the review is typically 6 months. CIS’ should check all search related content of the draft review, including; search date in the header, abstract, plain language summary, search methods for identification of studies in the methods section, description of studies in the results section, discussion, the search strategy in the appendices and the PRISMA diagram. CIS’ may be asked to check other sections, such as references, depending on the review group.

After all editorial comments have been addressed by the authors, the review will be published.