Library Support for Your Systematic Review Project
From the Start of Your Project
Librarian involvement at the very earliest stages is strongly recommended for getting the greatest benefit from library support, and will help ensure the best possible outcome for your systematic review project and publication.
Depending on the reporting standards or guidelines you are following (e.g. PRISMA; Cochrane; Campbell Collaboration; National Academies of Sciences, Engineering & Medicine), the participation of a librarian in your systematic review project team may be required or at least recommended.
Ongoing Support Through the Systematic Review Process
Library services and resources are available to support the following processes in your systematic review project:
- Finding additional guidance on the systematic review process from books, articles, & websites
- Searching for any existing or forthcoming systematic reviews in your chosen subject area or focus
- Developing a well-formed research question
- Helping define appropriate inclusion and exclusion criteria for limiting and evaluating your search results
- Reviewing and documenting the search strategy for inclusion in your paper, report, or presentation
- Identifying relevant and appropriate search terms to express each of the main concepts in your research question
- Identifying appropriate and available information resources to search (databases, grey literature sources, information tools)
- Developing effective search strategies (customized for each information resource)
- Finding or requesting documents in full text
More Advanced Levels of Support
Prospective systematic review researchers are encouraged to contact the library to discuss how librarians may be able to provide a more advanced level of support for their project. This will depend upon the availability of staff with appropriate subject specialties and expertise to assist with processes such as:
- Reviewing alternative knowledge synthesis methodologies
- Identifying information gaps in the literature and a viable research focus
- Setting up and using a citation manager (e.g. EndNote; Zotero) to organize and de-duplicate citations and documents
- Setting up and using a document screening tool (Note: librarians do not participate in the process of screening and evaluating articles and other documents gathered from your systematic review searches)
- Identifying appropriate journal/s for publication
Ask A Librarian
At any stage of your systematic review, you can make a research consultation appointment with a librarian (Pro Tip: for the best support, reach out at the early planning stages of your project):
Appointments can be as long, short or frequent as you need. Refer to the "?" information links provided to select the most appropriate subject liaison librarian for your topic. Also, to aid collaboration, feel encouraged to invite others in your team.
For additional library contact options, click: