This textbook provides a comprehensive, step-by-step practical guide to conducting systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and network meta-analyses in healthcare research. It is designed to address the growing need for high-quality evidence synthesis in an era of rapidly expanding scientific literature. The content follows a structured workflow, from formulating research questions and developing protocols to literature searching, statistical analysis, and transparent reporting, ensuring that readers can confidently undertake and complete evidence synthesis projects using standardized and reproducible methods.

The book simplifies complex methodological and statistical concepts by presenting them in a clear, practical manner supported by real-world examples, AI-based software for screening titles/abstracts and full-text articles, software-based guidance (RevMan, R, and STATA), and detailed explanations of key processes such as risk of bias assessment, heterogeneity analysis, publication bias, and GRADE evaluation. Advanced topics including trial sequential analysis, individual participant data meta-analysis, living reviews, and network meta-analysis are also covered, making the book both comprehensive and up-to-date.

This title is particularly relevant for postgraduate students, clinicians, researchers, and policymakers involved in clinical research, guideline development, and healthcare decision-making. By combining conceptual clarity with hands-on tools, templates, and case studies, the book equips readers with the skills needed to produce high-quality, publishable evidence and translate research findings into practice and policy.

Dr. Pradeep Kumar is Scientist-II (Epidemiology) at Clinical Research Unit, AIIMS, New Delhi, with expertise in clinical epidemiology and evidence synthesis. He holds a PhD in Neurology and Clinical Epidemiology from AIIMS, New Delhi  and has authored over 50 systematic reviews and meta-analyses, along with more than 70 peer-reviewed publications. His research area includes systematic review &  meta-analysis, neuroepidemiology, biomarkers discovery, and neurogenetics. He serves as an editor for international journals, including Frontiers in Neurology, human gene and BMC Cardiovascular Disorders, and contributing as reviewers for over 200 international journals. Dr. Kumar is actively involved with the Cochrane Review Group and several professional societies, contributing to global evidence synthesis initiatives. He has authored five academic books used in universities across India and regularly conducts training workshops on systematic reviews and research methodology. He is the Principal Investigator of Technical Resource Centre for the Centre of Evidence-Based Guidelines, supported by Department of Health Research (DHR), Government of India.