Table 2 Main guidance used by participants

Cochrane Handbook [30]

Campbell Collaboration guidance [31]

RAMESES guidance on realist synthesis [32]

Cochrane MECIR conduct standards [33]

PRISMA Statement [34]

Cooper et al., Handbook of Research Synthesis [35]

Petticrew and Roberts, Systematic Reviews in the Social Sciences [36]

Littell et al., Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis [37]

Saini and Shlonsky, Systematic Synthesis of Qualitative Research [38]

ESRC guidance on narrative synthesis [39]

CRD guidance [40]

Cochrane EPOC guidance [41]

SCIE guidance [42]