PRISMA  is the reporting guideline for systematic reviews of clinical trials. It consists of a 27-item checklist and flow diagram for transparent reporting of a systematic review.

Use the PRISMA process to record and report on the number of articles found and the process used to make decisions at each stage of the systematic review.  It is important to document decisions for excluding and including records throughout the process.

PRISMA Flow Diagram generator a free tool for creating flow diagrams. Note: the diagram can be adapted as appropriate.

Page, M. J., Moher, D., Bossuyt, P. M., Boutron, I., Hoffmann, T. C., Mulrow, C. D., Shamseer, L., Tetzlaff, J. M., Akl, E. A., Brennan, S. E., Chou, R., Glanville, J., Grimshaw, J. M., Hrobjartsson, A., Lalu, M. M., Li, T., Loder, E. W., Mayo-Wilson, E., McDonald, S., . . . McKenzie, J. E. (2021). PRISMA 2020 explanation and elaboration: Updated guidance and exemplars for reporting systematic reviews. BMJ, 372. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.n160

Page, M. J., McKenzie, J. E., Bossuyt, P. M,. Boutron, I., Hoffmann, T. C., & Mulrow, C. D. (2021). The PRISMA 2020 statement: An updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. BMJ, 372(71). https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.n71 

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Vandenbroucke JP, von Elm E, Altman DG, Gøtzsche PC, Mulrow CD, Pocock SJ, et al. (2007) Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE): Explanation and Elaboration. PLoS Med 4(10): e297. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.0040297