Systematic Review
The following information is designed to help you get started with your next systematic review.
To assist you in your systematic review, we offer training on how to find and access full text journal articles and research.
Finding Systematic Reviews
Before you carry out a systematic review, it's best to check if a similar review has already been written to avoid unintended duplication of effort.
The best websites to find systematic reviews are:
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The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (healthcare studies)
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The Campbell Collaboration (social, educational, psychological and forensic studies)
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Prospero (database of prospective systematic review protocols)
Systematic Review
If you plan to undertake a systematic review the following resources provide guidance on systematic review processes and reporting:
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Steps in conducting a systematic review University of Nottingham
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Equator Network Enhancing the QUAlity and Transparency Of health Research.Your one-stop-shop for writing and publishing high-impact health research
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Centre for Reviews and Dissemination. (2009). Systematic reviews: CRD’s guidance for undertaking reviews in healthcare (3rd ed.). York – the definitive guide on producing systematic reviews
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PRISMA: Transparent reporting of systematic reviews and meta-analyses – Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses checklist and flowchart for reporting your review methodology
Books
We have a variety of books that will help you get started with your next systematic review. Please search the library catalogues here.
Useful Information
Higgins JPT, Churchill R, Chandler J, Cumpston MS (editors), Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions version 5.2.0 (updated June 2017), Cochrane, 2017.
Schünemann H, Brożek J, Guyatt G, Oxman A, editor(s). Handbook for grading the quality of evidence and the strength of recommendations using the GRADE approach (updated October 2013). GRADE Working Group, 2013.
Page, M. J., McKenzie, J. E., & Higgins, J. P. T. (2018). Tools for assessing risk of reporting biases in studies and syntheses of studies: A systematic review. BMJ Open, 8(3), [e019703].
The Joanna Briggs Institute. Joanna Briggs Institute: Reviewers’ Manual. The Joanna Briggs Institute.