Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Diagnostic Test Accuracy

Version 2 now available for Cochrane members

We are pleased to share the first editorially accepted chapters of the new version of the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Diagnostic Test Accuracy (version 2) via the Cochrane Training websitewhich are available for individual Cochrane members for personal use only, and an Archie login is required for access.

The Editors (Jon Deeks, Patrick Bossuyt, Yemisi Takwoingi, Mariska Leeflang, Ella Flemyng and Laura Mellor) would like to share our huge appreciation with all previous and curent authors for working on these chapters. 


Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Diagnostic Test Accuracy (version 1)

Below is the list of chapters of the first version of the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Diagnostic Test Accuracy. Although these chapters are still very instructive and valuable for authors, it is necessary to check the alignment of these chapters with the most up-to-date guidance. For example, chapter 4 below does not yet contain the description of the Clinical Pathway. And chapter 9 refers to the first version of QUADAS.

Part 1: Cochrane Reviews

Chapter 1: Introduction

Chapter 2: Planning and preparation of a Cochrane review

Chapter 3: Keeping a Cochrane review up-to-date

Chapter 4: Guide to the contents of a Cochrane protocol for Diagnostic Test Accuracy (PDF 209 KB)

Part 2: General Methods for Cochrane Reviews of Diagnostic Test Accuracy

Chapter 5: Introduction to diagnostic research

Chapter 6: Developing criteria for including studies (PDF 125 KB)

Chapter 7: Searching for studies (PDF 410 KB)

Chapter 8: Selecting studies and collecting data not ready yet...do take a look at the tutorial for this in RevMan for DTA reviews, though.

Chapter 9: Assessing methodological quality (PDF 225 KB)  (NB. Based on old version of QUADAS)

Chapter 10: Analysing and presenting results. Version 1.0 uploaded January 2011 (PDF 765 KB)
Chapter 10 supporting files (.zip 7.6 KB)

Chapter 11: Interpreting results (PDF 836 Kb)