Research Insights & Blog

Expert articles on systematic reviews, meta-analysis, biostatistics, and academic publishing

What is a Systematic Review? A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners
Systematic Review
What is a Systematic Review? A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners

Dr. Paramjot Panda • Mar 15, 2025 • 8 min read
Meta-Analysis Explained: Forest Plots, Funnel Plots & Heterogeneity
Meta-Analysis
Meta-Analysis Explained: Forest Plots, Funnel Plots & Heterogeneity
How to Publish in a Q1 Journal: A Practical Roadmap for Indian Researchers
Publication
How to Publish in a Q1 Journal: A Practical Roadmap for Indian Researchers

All Articles

What is a Systematic Review? A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners
Systematic Review
What is a Systematic Review? A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners

A systematic review is a rigorous, reproducible method of identifying, appraising, and synthesizing all relevant studies on a specific research question. Learn how PRISMA 2020 guidelines structure the entire process from protocol registration to final reporting.

Dr. Paramjot Panda • Mar 15, 2025 • 8 min read
Meta-Analysis Explained: Forest Plots, Funnel Plots & Heterogeneity
Meta-Analysis
Meta-Analysis Explained: Forest Plots, Funnel Plots & Heterogeneity

Meta-analysis quantitatively combines results from multiple studies to produce an overall estimate of effect. Understand forest plots, funnel plots for publication bias, I-squared for heterogeneity, and when to use fixed vs. random effects models.

Dr. Paramjot Panda • Mar 10, 2025 • 10 min read
How to Publish in a Q1 Journal: A Practical Roadmap for Indian Researchers
Publication
How to Publish in a Q1 Journal: A Practical Roadmap for Indian Researchers

Publishing in Q1 SCI/Scopus journals requires strategic journal selection, rigorous methodology, and polished scientific writing. This guide covers journal identification, manuscript preparation, cover letters, and responding to peer review.

Dr. Paramjot Panda • Mar 05, 2025 • 12 min read
GRADE Assessment: Rating the Certainty of Evidence in Systematic Reviews
Evidence Synthesis
GRADE Assessment: Rating the Certainty of Evidence in Systematic Reviews

The GRADE framework (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations) is the gold standard for rating evidence certainty. Learn how to apply GRADE domains: risk of bias, inconsistency, indirectness, imprecision, and publication bias.

Dr. Paramjot Panda • Feb 28, 2025 • 9 min read
Risk of Bias Assessment Using RoB 2.0 and ROBINS-I: A Complete Tutorial
Systematic Review
Risk of Bias Assessment Using RoB 2.0 and ROBINS-I: A Complete Tutorial

Assessing risk of bias is a critical step in any systematic review. RoB 2.0 evaluates randomized trials across five domains, while ROBINS-I assesses non-randomized studies. Learn domain-by-domain assessment with practical examples.

URN Research Team • Feb 20, 2025 • 11 min read
SPSS vs R vs STATA: Which Statistical Software Should Researchers Choose?
Biostatistics
SPSS vs R vs STATA: Which Statistical Software Should Researchers Choose?

Choosing the right statistical software depends on your research needs, budget, and learning curve. This comparison covers SPSS for beginners, R for advanced analysis and reproducibility, and STATA for epidemiological research.

URN Research Team • Feb 15, 2025 • 7 min read
PRISMA 2020 Checklist: What Changed and How to Comply
Systematic Review
PRISMA 2020 Checklist: What Changed and How to Comply

The updated PRISMA 2020 statement expanded the checklist from 27 to 27 items with significant modifications. Key changes include abstract structure, search strategy reporting, automation tools disclosure, and certainty assessment requirements.

Dr. Paramjot Panda • Feb 10, 2025 • 8 min read
Why Faculty Development Programs Are Essential for Research-Driven Institutions
Research Training
Why Faculty Development Programs Are Essential for Research-Driven Institutions

Research productivity directly correlates with structured faculty development. Institutions that invest in FDPs see measurable improvements in publication output, grant acquisition, and evidence-based curriculum development.

Dr. Paramjot Panda • Feb 05, 2025 • 6 min read
Digital Data Collection in Health Research: ODK, KoboToolbox & REDCap Compared
Data Management
Digital Data Collection in Health Research: ODK, KoboToolbox & REDCap Compared

Moving from paper-based to digital data collection improves accuracy, reduces costs, and enables real-time monitoring. Compare ODK for field surveys, KoboToolbox for humanitarian research, and REDCap for clinical studies.

URN Research Team • Jan 28, 2025 • 7 min read
Sample Size Calculation Made Simple: Formulas, Software & Common Mistakes
Biostatistics
Sample Size Calculation Made Simple: Formulas, Software & Common Mistakes

An inadequate sample size is the most common reason for underpowered studies. Learn the key formulas for cross-sectional, case-control, and cohort studies, plus free tools like G*Power and OpenEpi for calculation.

Dr. Paramjot Panda • Jan 20, 2025 • 9 min read
How to Identify and Avoid Predatory Journals: A Checklist for Researchers
Publication Ethics
How to Identify and Avoid Predatory Journals: A Checklist for Researchers

Predatory journals exploit researchers through deceptive practices. Learn to identify red flags: fake impact factors, aggressive email solicitation, absent peer review, and how to verify journals using Beall's List, DOAJ, and Scopus.

URN Research Team • Jan 15, 2025 • 6 min read
How to Register Your Systematic Review Protocol on PROSPERO
Systematic Review
How to Register Your Systematic Review Protocol on PROSPERO

PROSPERO registration reduces duplication, promotes transparency, and is increasingly required by journals. This step-by-step guide covers eligibility, the 22-field registration form, and tips for faster approval.

Dr. Paramjot Panda • Jan 08, 2025 • 7 min read
The Growing Burden of NCDs in India: Research Priorities and Evidence Gaps
Public Health
The Growing Burden of NCDs in India: Research Priorities and Evidence Gaps

Non-communicable diseases account for over 65% of deaths in India. Hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and mental health disorders require urgent evidence synthesis to inform national health policy and resource allocation.

Dr. Paramjot Panda • Dec 28, 2024 • 10 min read
10 Common Thesis Writing Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Academic Writing
10 Common Thesis Writing Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

From unfocused research questions to poor statistical choices, these common mistakes delay graduation and weaken research quality. Learn practical strategies to structure your thesis for success from day one.

URN Research Team • Dec 20, 2024 • 8 min read
Implementation Research in India: Bridging the Evidence-to-Practice Gap
Public Health
Implementation Research in India: Bridging the Evidence-to-Practice Gap

India's health system faces a persistent gap between evidence and practice. Implementation research addresses "how" evidence-based interventions work in real-world settings, identifying barriers and facilitators for scale-up.

Dr. Paramjot Panda • Dec 10, 2024 • 9 min read

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