Confirm the review type from your protocol and synthesis methods, then remap the applicable checklist items to your manuscript sections and record the corrected checklist with any sections needing revision.
A checklist mismatch usually starts with a label problem: the manuscript claims one review type while the protocol and methods describe another. PRISMA 2020 is a reporting checklist for systematic reviews, covering why the review was done, what methods were used, and what studies were found and included. STROBE covers cohort, case-control, and cross-sectional observational studies and assesses reporting completeness. Use the protocol and synthesis methods to decide which checklist applies before editing the manuscript.
- Re-read the protocol and record the review question, eligibility criteria, search approach, and synthesis method. Expected result: a short written description of what the review actually does.
- Compare that description with the review type named in the title, abstract, and methods. Expected result: a decision on whether the label matches the methods or needs correcting.
- Select the checklist that matches the confirmed review type, such as PRISMA 2020 for a systematic review. Expected result: one checklist to work from.
- Map each applicable checklist item to the manuscript section that reports it. Expected result: a table of item, section, and status.
- Mark items with no matching section as needing revision, and record the corrected checklist alongside the manuscript. Expected result: a revision list tied to specific sections.
If the review is a systematic review, PRISMA 2020 also provides an abstract checklist and flow diagrams for original and updated reviews, so check the abstract and study flow against those items as well. If the work is an observational study rather than a review, STROBE is the relevant checklist. Keep the corrected checklist with the manuscript so later edits can be checked against the same mapping.