How to start a HuGE review

To register interest to undertake a HuGE review, write to HuGE@cdc.gov, providing:

• details of the proposed title/topic of your HuGE review;
• the investigators involved (with affiliations);
• if available, the protocol for your HuGE review.

By registering your intention to conduct a HuGE review, it can be seen which reviews are in progress so that any unnecessary duplication of effort and resources can be avoided.

The HuGE Review Handbook provides guidance for people undertaking a HuGE review.

HuGE reviews may be submitted to one of the HuGE collaborating journals, and upon acceptance are included in the archive of HuGE reviews.

Writing a Protocol

HuGE systematic reviews should be subject to the same vigorous scientific processes as other types of research. Reviews are by definition retrospective and as such are prone to selection bias with prior knowledge of study results which could influence the reviewing process. It is recommended that investigators who propose to carry out a HuGE review produce a brief protocol in the very early stages of their research.

The protocol essentially constitutes the Background and Methods sections of a HuGE review. It serves the purposes of documenting intent and developing appropriate methods that are systematic and explicit.

Examples of HuGE review protocols can be found here. Full details of what might be included in a protocol are provided in the HuGE Review Handbook. In brief, a protocol should include the following:

• Cover sheet, including title, type of review, investigator list and contact details

• Background, similar to the introduction section of a paper with the objectives of the review stated

• Methods, this section can be split into the following:

• Selection criteria, state the gene/s and variant/s of interest, the disease/outcome, participants, study designs to be included.
• Identifying studies, describe the methods for identifying relevant studies, databases to searched, search strategy to be used.
• Data collection, outline the selection process of including/excluding studies, how data will be collected/collated, assessment of risk of bias.
• Data synthesis, state whether a meta-analysis is planned or not and specify details of primary hypotheses and planned methods for testing these.

• Potential conflict of interest.

  Related websites: Main HuGENet site | Greece Coordinating Centre | Canada Coordinating Centre