On December 1, 2023, we released MetaReviewer and embarked on a journey to redefine the possibilities of free and accessible synthesis software. June 1, 2024, marked our six-month anniversary. We are proud to reflect on our achievements and the community we have built. This milestone is a testament to the dedication of our team and the trust of our users.

MetaReviewer’s Growing Community

Our community of users is already substantial and continues to grow. We now have over 700 users with an active account! Within AIR’s Methods of Synthesis and Integration Center (MOSAIC) work alone, there are over 10 ongoing synthesis projects using MetaReviewer. The MetaReviewer team has delivered training on the systematic review process with MetaReviewer to four organizations and two workshops, working with more than 200 individuals.

MetaReviewer’s Ongoing Commitment to Solving User Issues

Our team knows how frustrating software bugs can be when conducting a synthesis; especially because we are active users ourselves. We are therefore constantly working to maintain and update MetaReviewer, solving issues as swiftly and effectively as possible. Since our launch, we’ve deployed over 30 bug fixes. We updated MetaReviewer’s User Guide to reflect those changes, and we published the new version today.

We could not have identified or made these fixes without our early-adopters and super-users. These individuals have worked closely with our Help Desk team to provide clear, concise information that our software developers use to problem-solve. They’ve also helped us define what goes into a great Help Desk request! We are incredibly grateful and appreciative of these users’ time, willingness to engage, and – especially – their patience. MetaReviewer is a better product because of them!

MetaReviewer’s Burgeoning Resource Library

We want MetaReviewer to be a tool that novice synthesists feel comfortable using. We know from experience that when starting a synthesis project, the number of questions that arise can feel overwhelming. That’s why, along with MetaReviewer’s Full Release, we launched the MetaReviewer Learn page. We published 15 blog posts, ranging from topics on hierarchical relational databases to managing citations to training coders.

We also published several new tools that will directly assist in the synthesis process. Our full-text screening form template allows users to start using MetaReviewer from the full-text screening phase, immediately after conducting abstract screening. And our effect size decision tree infographic helps users determine which effect size might be most appropriate, given available information within a primary study.

MetaReviewer’s Upcoming Enhancements

As we look to the immediate future, we are excited about the possibilities that lie ahead. We are working to add abstract screening functionality, enhance project management capabilities, and improve user workflow.

Thank you for being part of MetaReviewer’s journey. Your support and engagement have been crucial to our success. As we celebrate this milestone, we reaffirm our commitment to providing the highest quality synthesis product and continuing to innovate in the world of synthesis platforms. Here’s to the next six months and beyond!