Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews Template
Get your Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews paper right the first time: a ready-made structure with the right abstract and citations, so editors see your science, not formatting slips.
4.3
How to Use the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews Template | A Step-by-Step Guide
Authored by Sumalatha Gangadhar | Published on 7 August, 2026
Submitting to Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews goes smoothly when your draft already matches the journal's own rules. Editors screen new manuscripts against the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews guide for authors before peer review, so formatting, structure, and required statements should be right on the first draft rather than repaired during upload. This template sets that structure up for you.
What is the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews Template?
It is a manuscript shell aligned to Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. It covers front matter, the abstract the journal expects, a body organized to the journal's article types, and a reference list in the journal's required style. Confirm current scope and article types on the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews journal page before you draft.
What's actually in a Cochrane Database Systematic Rev submission:
Prepare the title, authors, affiliations, and ORCID iDs. Write the abstract to the journal's rule and word limit, organize the body to the article type, and apply the required reference style from the first citation. Complete every declaration (ethics, competing interests, funding, data availability) the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews guide for authors lists, and cite figures and tables in order.
What separates a clean submission from one that gets kicked back:
The common failure modes are formatting or reference style that does not match the guide for authors, missing required statements, and an incomplete portal checklist. Clear all three against the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews guide for authors before you submit.
What does this Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews Template include?
The shell mirrors what editorial staff check first: article-type fit, the abstract rules, required declarations, and the journal's reference style. For more detail see the author resources. When your draft is ready, upload it through Editorial Manager.
Steps to Use This Template with SciSpace Agent
- Click Start Writing on this page. The SciSpace Agent prompt screen opens with the template loaded.
- Use the loaded template, or upload a version your group already uses for Cochrane Database Systematic Rev.
- Edit the prompt with your topic and article type, and note any requirement from the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews guide for authors.
- Run the prompt. The agent drafts into the correct structure and reference style.
- Use View Outputs to verify required statements and formatting are present.
- Export and submit through Editorial Manager.
Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews Template Structure at a Glance
| Element | Cochrane Database Systematic Rev requirement |
|---|---|
| Abstract | Structured abstract following PRISMA 2020 for Abstracts checklist with mandatory headings: Background, Objectives, Search methods, Selection criteria (eligibility criteria), Data collection and analysis, Main results (including number of studies/participants, study characteristics, bias assessment, findings for all primary outcomes, adverse effects), and Authors' conclusions. Maximum word limit is 1000 words; authors should aim for no more than 700 words without sacrificing important content. Abstracts must be stand-alone documents and consistent with the main review text |
| Main text | Main text word limit for reviews is 12,000 words (6,000 words for protocols). This word count includes the abstract, plain language summary, background, objectives, methods, results, discussion, and authors' conclusions. It excludes references, figures, tables (including summary of findings tables), search strategies, and supplementary materials |
| Declarations | Ethics approval/consent as applicable; competing interests; funding; data availability |
| Figures/tables | Publication-ready; cited in order |
| Supplemental | Upload separately when used |
| Keywords | Not specified in the official author guidelines |
| References | Numbered citation system (Cochrane's focused review format). RevMan automatically inserts citations as numbers and renumbers before submission. References follow specific Cochrane formatting standards: list only first six authors followed by 'et al' if more than six authors, no full stops at end of lines, specific page number style (e.g., 324-6 not 324-326) |
| Peer review | All identities visible (open peer review) since January 2019. Authors' and peer reviewers' names and affiliations are visible to each other during the peer review process. Patient and public peer reviewers may request single-anonymized process where their identities are not visible to authors |
| Submission | www.editorialmanager.com/cemd/default2.aspx |
Quick Tips for Using the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews Template
Read the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews guide for authors once before drafting and once before upload. Draft the abstract after results are stable. Set the reference style before adding citations. Keep a cover letter that states your contribution and fit to Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews in under a page.
Best Practices
Skim two or three recent Cochrane Database Systematic Rev papers to calibrate depth and figure style. Make the novelty clear in the first two pages. Deposit data and code when the policy on the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews journal page requires it. Disclose any preprint or conference version with identifiers in the cover letter.
Before You Submit: Final Check
Do one focused pass against the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews guide for authors: scope, length, reference style, required declarations, and figure quality. Then submit through Editorial Manager.
