What a systematic review is
Systematic reviews and scoping reviews is a structured assessment of all existing research for a research topic. They require extensive literature searching, transparent processes and reporting according to recognized standards.
A complete systematic review takes about a year, and possibly longer depending on the size and capacity of the research team.
What can the library assist you with
Contact your library to hear what they can offer. The Library of Medicine provides support in all phases of the systematic review process. This includes building and documenting a systematic literature search, removing duplicates and transferring search results to reference management or screening tools.
Search strategy and database selection
- Recommendations of relevant databases and resources
- Developing a search strategy and carrying out the search
- Adapting the search to each individual database
- Updating the search before publication
Documentation and reporting
- Documenting the search process
- Help with following standards for protocols and reporting (PRISMA)
- An appendix with the complete search history
Reference management and screening
- Transferring references to EndNote or Zotero or a screening tool like Rayyan
- Deduplicating references
- Suggesting tools for screening and quality assessment
Who can get help
- PhD candidates at the Faculty of Medicine
- Researchers at the Faculty of Medicine
- Employees at Helse Bergen
Students at master's and bachelor's level usually receive training as an integrated part of their studies.
Preparation and courses
You should be well acquainted with the process of a systematic review and its standards. The following web pages give an overview of what it means to write a systematic review.