The following is a selection of databases giving access to reviews in different subject areas.
Includes:
-The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (Cochrane Reviews)
-The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL)
-The Cochrane Database of Methodology Reviews (Methodology Reviews)
Help and guidance
You can find training materials and videos by registering with the Cochrane Library Training Hub (requires an e-mail address).
A systematic review...
Watch our introductory videos
Contact your Academic Liaison Librarian
Your Academic Liaison Librarian can give advice on some of the steps in the process, such as choosing where to search (step 2), developing a search strategy (step 3), running & recording your search (step 4) and managing your search results (step 5). Refer to your supervisor for help with developing your protocol, evaluating the studies and writing up the review.
You may be asked to do a systematic review, when what they actually want you to do is a systematic review of the literature. There are few key differences. Check with your supervisor what type of review they want you to do.
Systematic review | Systematic literature review |
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Brings together the results of studies to answer a clearly defined and well focused question. | Provides a subjective summary of the literature on a topic, not necessarily to answer a specific question. |
Extensive search across multiple databases covering published literature. More detailed systematic reviews will also include grey literature. Comprehensive and explicit search methods used and reported. | Thorough search of published literature. |
A detailed protocol is developed to define the study, often using the PICO framework. | Does not need a protocol, although may have inclusion and exclusion criteria. |
Usually involves three or more people to eliminate bias (but a more limited version can be done by a single student for their dissertation). | Can be produced by a single person, so open to bias. |
Large, professional systematic reviews can take months or years to produce. | Weeks or months to produce. |
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Summary adapted from: Kysh, L. (n.d.) What's in a name? The difference between a systematic review and a literature review and why it matters. URL: https://figshare.com/articles/Difference_between_a_systematic_review_and_a_literature_review/766364 [9 April 2018]
There are many other types of review a few of which are outlined below. Many of the steps in this guide will still be relevant for other reviews, it might just be the way you synthesise the results which is different. For a more comprehensive overview of review types see the page below from Duke University:
Scoping review
An initial assessment of the size and scope of research literature on a topic. Can be the first step in a systematic review.
Rapid review
A very focused systematic review which addresses a specific topic within a short timeframe allowing rapid evaluation of current research.
Meta-analysis
A statistical approach to combining the data derived from from studies retrieved by a systematic review.
Narrative review
Uses description rather than statistics to analyse the findings from relevant primary studies.
The following videos offer two explanations of systematic reviews and what's involved in doing them.
We have produced a playlist of five videos to support students doing a systematic review:
If you are unable to view these videos on YouTube they are also available on YuJa (University username and password required):