# Enhancing the quality of systematic reviews and meta-analyses

## TL;DR

This paper proposes a new checklist to improve the quality and reduce bias in systematic reviews and meta-analyses.

## Contribution

The novel contribution is the development of a 'meta checklist' to enhance transparency and methodological rigor in systematic reviews.

## Key findings

- Current measures fail to fully address transparency and bias in systematic reviews.
- The proposed checklist aims to ensure methodological soundness and reproducibility.
- The checklist considers feasibility while maintaining high scientific standards.

## Abstract

Systematic reviews and meta-analyses are often considered the highest level in evidence hierarchies, and therefore are often drawn upon when considering changes in policy. Despite journals implementing measures aiming to enhance the quality of systematic reviews they publish, the authorship raise concerns about the quality of existing and ongoing systematic reviews, particularly relating to transparency and bias minimisation. Building on the current guidelines, standards and tools, we suggest a ‘meta checklist’ which aims to maximise methodologically sound, unbiased and reproducible reviews of the best scientific quality while considering feasibility throughout the process.