PRISMA examples and charts
Learn how PRISMA is used to report literature-search and screening decisions clearly, especially in nursing and health research reviews.
Use this as a study guide for planning and reporting. Examples explain process and structure; they should not be copied into an assignment as your own work.
What is PRISMA?
PRISMA is a reporting framework that helps students and researchers show how evidence was identified, screened, assessed and included in a systematic review or structured literature review.
It does not replace a research question, methodology, database strategy or critical appraisal. It makes the selection process transparent.
Use PRISMA when
Your assignment expects a clear record of databases, searches, removed duplicates, screening decisions, eligibility checks and final included studies.
Four stages in a PRISMA chart
A good chart does more than show numbers. It helps the reader understand how the review moved from a broad search to a defensible set of included studies.
Identification
Record the databases, registers and other sources used to find evidence.
Screening
Show which titles, abstracts or full texts were checked after duplicate removal.
Eligibility
Explain why studies were excluded, using clear inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Included studies
Report the evidence that finally informed the review, synthesis or discussion.
From research question to search plan
PRISMA records what happened during evidence selection. A question framework such as PEO or PICO helps decide what you are looking for in the first place.
Use PEO or PICO first
Define the population, exposure or intervention, comparison where relevant, and outcome before building database terms.
Read the PEO framework guideUse PRISMA to report the trail
Keep a transparent record of search dates, database names, filters, duplicates, exclusions and final included sources.
Build a research questionWhat PRISMA should not become
Do not treat PRISMA as the whole method
- Explain your question and review type.
- Set inclusion and exclusion criteria.
- Critically appraise the evidence you include.
Do not copy example counts
- Your numbers must match your own searches.
- Record databases, dates and filters.
- Explain exclusion decisions in plain academic language.
Read the existing PRISMA chart example
The public chart and guide notes below show one learning-disability nursing example. Treat the wording, counts and dates as a teaching model unless your module asks you to verify the same evidence trail.
Adapt the structure to your own question, databases and assignment brief. Do not report screening counts that you have not produced from your own search process.
Empower your nursing research with the clarity and structure of a PRISMA Chart, a cornerstone of evidence-based practice.
Navigating through the complex sea of research can be a daunting task for any healthcare professional. In the realm of Learning Disability Nursing, the use of evidence-based practice is not just a regulatory requirement; it’s a cornerstone of effective patient care. The PRISMA Chart stands as an invaluable tool for nurses to synthesize research findings systematically. This blog serves as an essential guide for Learning Disability Nurses to understand and utilize the PRISMA Chart in their scholarly endeavors.The Purpose of PRISMA in Nursing Research
The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses, or PRISMA, is a protocol that sets the standard for reporting systematic reviews. Within Learning Disability Nursing, the application of PRISMA ensures that research conducted and utilized is thorough, transparent, and replicable, adhering to the stringent standards set forth by the NHS and the NMC.
Systematic reviews underpinning PRISMA guidelines are instrumental in gathering insights that drive policy changes, shape clinical guidelines, and inform patient care protocols, especially within the NHS framework. By aligning research with the NMC Code of Conducts, nurses fortify their practice with the most credible and current evidence, ensuring patient welfare remains at the heart of healthcare delivery.
Understanding the PRISMA Chart
The PRISMA Chart is not just a framework; it's a roadmap to impeccable research. It stands for the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses, and its well-crafted flow diagram is a visual masterpiece in the scholarly world. Each segment of the chart meticulously guides the researcher through the selection process of relevant studies, from identification and screening to eligibility and inclusion. It is the beacon that ensures no significant study is left adrift in the vast ocean of academic papers.
Creating a PRISMA Chart for Your Research
Crafting a PRISMA Chart involves a systematic approach. Begin with a comprehensive search of databases relevant to Learning Disability Nursing, applying filters that correspond to your research questions. Following this, screen the titles and abstracts based on pre-defined eligibility criteria, ensuring they align with the NMC's principles. The chart then helps in documenting the number of studies selected, evaluated, and included or excluded, providing a transparent account of your research process.
For a tailor made Prisma chart for your research you can have a Research Builder make it for you!
PRISMA in Practice: A Case Study
To illuminate the utility of the PRISMA Chart, let’s delve into a case study from Learning Disability Nursing. Imagine a research focused on the efficacy of digital tools in enhancing patient communication for adults with learning disabilities. Using the PRISMA framework, researchers begin by identifying relevant studies across databases, screening for those that specifically address digital communication tools.
Upon retrieval and assessment, researchers might find that some studies are outdated or not peer-reviewed, which are then excluded, adhering to the PRISMA protocol. The remaining studies form the crux of the evidence used to draw conclusions about best practices and policy recommendations for the NHS.
Best Practices for Learning Disability Nursing Research
Best practices in research are not just about following protocols but also about aligning with ethical standards like those outlined by the NMC. When conducting research, always prioritize patient dignity and confidentiality, key tenets of both the NMC and the NHS. Furthermore, staying abreast of evolving digital healthcare strategies ensures that the research is not only current but also relevant to the needs of the patients.
In conclusion, the PRISMA Chart is a beacon in the complex process of literature review, ensuring that research is thorough, up to date, and ethically conducted. For those in the field of Learning Disability Nursing, it is an essential tool that aligns with the NHS's commitment to evidence-based practice and the NMC's professional standards.
For more on evidence-based practice and digital health strategies in nursing, be sure to explore Grammarholic’s additional resources:
Use the chart to understand transparent reporting. Your submitted work should reflect your own search strategy, criteria, appraisal and evidence decisions.
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Need help turning your search plan into a clear review?
Grammarholic can support planning, structure, editing, model answers and study resources. Your final work must remain honest, properly referenced and written for your own learning.