Study identification and participant-data access

Track studies and data availability

Study eligibility and data availability are separate. Keep requests and reasons in the register; use secure research infrastructure for participant datasets. This canvas documents the process and is not the participant-data repository.

Flow diagram

Study identification and participant-data accessF1.S1Identify eligible studiesF1.S2Request data and permissionsF1.S3Track availability and refusalsF1.S4Verify received data coverageF1.S5Define synthesis availabilitygroupsF1.N1Study access registerStudy IDEligibilityAccess statusCoverageAgreementversionReasonRequestedReceivedUnavailableAggregateonlyF1.N2Assumptions and rationaleF1.N3Method and protocol evidenceF1.S0 Start flowStudy identification andparticipant-data accessF1.S999 End flowEnd flow

Steps

Identify eligible studies

Use reproducible searches and retain multiple reports linked to each study.

Request data and permissions

Record contact, agreements, transfer scope and governance without identifiers.

Track availability and refusals

Distinguish eligible studies, data supplied and aggregate-only evidence.

Verify received data coverage

Reconcile expected arms, participants, outcomes and follow-up with study records.

Define synthesis availability groups

Record included IPD, unresolved datasets and unavailable data reasons.

Study identification and participant-data access

End flow

Tables and supporting information

Study access register

Study access registerStudy IDEligibilityAccess statusCoverageAgreementversionReasonRequestedReceivedUnavailableAggregateonly

This register stores access metadata, not participant-level records.

Assumptions and rationale

Unavailable participant data can bias the evidence base; obtaining IPD is not an eligibility criterion unless justified prospectively.

Method and protocol evidence

Attach the protocol, methodological sources and versioned software specification supporting these decisions. Record citations and provenance; do not enter participant identifiers.

Sources