EPID6626 Research Methods in Epidemiology

• Conducting and Writing a Lit Review: (my favorite tip=Keep track of your searches!)
• Literature Review Tips
• Ten Simple Rules for Writing a Literature Review (Science Focused)
• Chart Comparing Systematic Reviews and Literature Reviews
• A typology of reviews: an analysis of 14 review types and associated methodologies

Systematic reviews seek to find, appraise, and analyze all relevant studies to answer a focused question, often relating to intervention efficacy. The goal of a systematic review is to synthesize evidence without bias.

Since systematic reviews require such a stringent and diligent process to complete, systematic reviews are often noted as one of the highest forms of evidence in evidence-based practice. 

Systematic reviews are more than just a comprehensive literature search and require a heavy time investment (several months at least) to complete correctly. 

Depending on the specificity of your question and available time/resources, a systematic review may not be the right choice for your project. In that case, there are approximately fourteen (14) types of reviews (scoping, mapping, rapid, umbrella, etc.) that vary in methodology, scope, and level of effort.

Schedule a consultation with a librarian if you would like assistance selecting a review and methodology best suited for your research question.

Guide to Systematic Reviews