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What is a systematic review?
A systematic review is a research method in which a team formulates a research question, searches, selects, and appraises the literature in order to test and evaluate in order for researchers, practitioners, and policy-makers to make evidence based decisions.
Unlike other types of reviews, this research method includes a reproducible and transparent methodology. For help differentiating between the various types of reviews (e.g., literature review, scoping review), consult A Typology of Reviews (Grant & Booth, 2009).
How can the libraries help?
Librarians have skills to assist you throughout the process especially in helping you develop and report a comprehensive and reproducible search strategy.
1: Planning
- Guidance on SR process and steps
- Background searching for current and upcoming reviews
- Help with development or refinement of review topic
2: Searching
- Identification of databases for searches
- Development and execution of searches
- Documentation of search strategies
- Management of search results
- Guidance on methods for study review and data management
3: Reporting
- Drafting of literature search description in methods section
- Drafting of literature search appendix
- Guidance for complying with reporting guidelines (e.g., PRISMA)
- Review of manuscript drafts
Adapted from Role of the Librarian. (2017). Systematic Reviews at UNC Health Sciences Library. http://guides.lib.unc.edu/c.php?g=148913&p=979577