Systematic Reviews
What is a systematic review?
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.
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Systematic Review Step TrackerA step by step tracker to conducting systematic reviews using the Cochrane or Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines.
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Systematic Review Starter KitDownload this informal step-by-step guide to completing systematic reviews, complete with links and checklists.
Systematic Reviews: Tips & Tricks Workshop
What does a systematic review process look like?
One easy way to remember the systematic review process is with the acronym PIECES (Foster & Jewell, 2017).
P | PLAN |
The key to conducting a systematic review is effective planning.
If working in a team, the planning stage is where roles are defined, tasks are delegated, and workflows are defined. |
---|---|---|
I | IDENTIFY |
Search published and unpublished (grey) literature using all relevant databases and document search strategies. |
E | EVALUATE |
Evaluate studies for relevance, methodology, and bias. |
C | COLLECT / CODE | Code studies and extract data |
E | EXPLAIN | Synthesize the results from studies included in the review. |
S | SUMMARIZE (REPORT) |
Present conclusions and submit final report with supporting documentation. |
Foster, M., & Jewell, S. (2017). Assembling the pieces of a systematic review : Guide for librarians (Medical Library Association books). Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield.
Image source: Plüddemann A, Aronson JK, Onakpoya I, et al Redefining rapid reviews: a flexible framework for restricted systematic reviews BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine 2018;23:201-203. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjebm-2018-110990
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An Introduction to Systematic Reviews by David Gough (Editor); Sandy Oliver (Editor); James Thomas (Editor)
Call Number: Q180.A1 I58 2017 MORGANISBN: 9781473929432Publication Date: 2017-05-05 -
Assembling the Pieces of a Systematic Review by Sarah T. Jewell (Editor); Margaret J. Foster (Editor); Margaret J. Foster (Editor); Margaret J. Foster (Editor)
Call Number: R853.S94 A67 2017 MORGANISBN: 9781442277014Publication Date: 2017 -
Doing a Systematic Review: A Student's Guide by Rumona Dickson; Angela Boland; M. Gemma Cherry (Editor)
Call Number: R853.S94 D65 2014 MORGANISBN: 9781446269688Publication Date: 2013 -
Systematic Reviews in Health Care by Paul Glasziou; Chris Bain; Graham Colditz; Les Irwig
Call Number: R853.S94 S945 2001ISBN: 0521799627Publication Date: 2001 -
Finding What Works in Health Care by Jill Eden (Editor); Laura Levit (Editor); Alfred Berg (Editor); Sally Morton (Editor); Committee on Standards for Systematic Reviews of Comparative Effectiveness Research; Institute of Medicine; Board on Health Care Services Staff
Call Number: RA399.A3 I565 2011 MORGANISBN: 9780309164252Publication Date: 2011E-BOOK and print -
Systematic Reviews to Answer Health Care Questions by Heidi D. Nelson
ISBN: 9781451187717Publication Date: 2014E-BOOK -
Systematic Reviews to Support Evidence-Based Medicine by Khalid Khan; Gerd Antes; Jos Kleijnen; Regina Kunz
ISBN: 9781853157998Publication Date: 2011E-BOOK
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