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Systematic Reviews

Researcher resources Systematic Reviews

Quick links

     Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions  Institute of Medicine’s standards for systematic reviews  Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses  Cochrane Handbook 2011 ed  JBI Reviewers’ Manual 2014 ed  EPPI Centre's ‘An introduction to systematic reviews’

Researcher Resources

     Overview  Statistical tools and services  Data management  Publishing  Publication plan  Researcher identifiers  Knowledge management  eResearch tools and services  Thesis submission  Flinders Academic Commons  Bibliometrics  Keeping up to date  Grey literature  Systematic reviews  Systematic literature searching  Open Access  Online researcher induction

Consulting a Librarian

 College and Research Services Librarians support the Flinders University research community in their undertaking of Systematic Review activity through the provision of training, workshops, and 1:1 consultations. The following support model details the extent to which this team can support requests from across the research community. It is based on a three-tier model that has been well established at other academic institutions such as Sydney University and Stanford University.

Please be aware that all requests are dependent on team capacity and workloads and that we may need to defer some requests if necessary.

 Acknowledgements:

A number of sources were consulted in preparing these guidelines, both national and international, with particular reference to the University of Sydney Library, see https://library.sydney.edu.au/research/downloads/sr-servicecharter.pdf

 

The three levels of service are as follows:

Standard Service Level

Usually up to 5 hours of service.

Research (HDR) students undertaking systematic reviews as part of their candidature and is sensitive to the University’s Academic Integrity policy while also supporting student learning.

Part A Initial Search

 

Provide advice on finding existing systematic reviews.

 

Provide advice and guidance on identifying key articles and search terms.

 

Recommend databases for your subject area

Pre-specify inclusion/exclusion criteria.

Part B Main Search

 

Review or refine the research question/topic.

 

Help to identify main concepts using appropriate tools.

 

Review or create one search strategy in a major database.

 

Edit search strategies based on results.

 

Part C Managing Citations

 

Provide support for reference management (e.g. Endnote)

 

 

 

Notes: We require an initial search strategy to be emailed before your first consultation. We do not execute searches on your behalf, screen or collate results, or locate full-text content.

Advanced Service Level

Usually up to 10 hours of service.

Available to support post-doctoral researchers undertaking systematic reviews; credit of the Librarian’s contribution should be made in any publication’s Acknowledgements.

Part A Initial Search

 

Provide advice on finding existing systematic reviews.

 

Identify key articles and search terms.

 

Pre-specify inclusion/exclusion criteria

Part B Main Search

 

Review or refine the research question/topic.

 

Identify main concepts using appropriate tools.

 

Review or create up to three search strategies in major databases.

 

Edit search strategies based on results.

 

Part C Managing Citations

 

Provide support for reference management (e.g. Endnote)

 

 

Part D Documentation

 

Provide advice on documenting search results (e.g. PRISMA).

 

 

Contact us via ServiceOne or Book an appointment

Premium Service Level

Hours of service are by negotiation.

Offered as a co-authorship with post-doctoral researchers and will provide an agreed number of hours of research services as a part of the Systematic Review team.

Part A Initial Search

 

Provide advice on finding existing systematic reviews.

 

Identify key articles and search terms.

 

Pre-specify inclusion/exclusion criteria

Part B Main Search

 

Review or refine the research question/topic.

 

Identify main concepts using appropriate tools.

 

Review or create up to three search strategies in major databases.

 

Edit search strategies based on results.

 

Run searches and extract results.

 

Part C Managing Citations

 

Provide support for reference management (e.g. Endnote)

 

De-duplicate references and prepare Endnote library.

 

 

Part D Documentation

 

Provide advice on documenting search results (e.g. PRISMA).

 

Contribute to Methods section of the paper.

 

Provide copies of search strategies for Appendices.

 

 

Fact Sheets and Guides

     What is a systematic review?  Methodology overview  Conceptualising the search  Sources to search  Grey literature  Search construction  Managing the search results  Reporting the search  Database syntax guide  Translating a search from Medline

Before meeting with us, please consider the following questions.

Is a systematic review required?

A systematic review is a specific research methodology with well-defined, internationally accepted characteristics. These are clearly  described in the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. Please check the handbook definition before proceeding.

College and Research Services Librarians can assist with systematic literature searching for both systematic reviews and literature reviews being undertaken by academics, researchers and HDR students. Please use our online booking form to make an appointment.

The Library services team can help with literature searching and literature reviews being undertaken by undergraduates and Masters by course students.

Has a systematic review already been done on your topic?

Before embarking on a systematic review, it’s important to first check that a review hasn’t already been done on your topic.  Use the databases most appropriate to your subject area and/or Google Scholar to check for systematic reviews in your area. You should also check for registered systematic review protocols lodged with Prospero, JBI EBP Database, and the Cochrane Library.

There are established standards and methods for conducting and reporting systematic reviews. Familiarising yourself with these in advance of beginning the review will ensure you produce a review of acceptable quality.  

See:
•    The Institute of Medicine’s standards for systematic reviews
•    Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA statement)
•    Cochrane Handbook (2011 ed.)
•    JBI Reviewers’ Manual (2014 ed.)
•    The EPPI-Centre’s ‘An introduction to systematic reviews’

Do you have the time and resources required to conduct a high quality systematic review?

Workload and timeframes

A systematic review is a large, complex undertaking that will most probably take many months to complete.

For example, unless your topic is very narrow or newly emerging, you can reasonably expect to have to download, deduplicate, and review for relevance hundreds, if not thousands, of citations once the searches have been executed. This can be a time-consuming process.

Data management

Access to, and familiarity with, citation management software is crucial to systematic review work.  EndNote is the product made available to Flinders University staff and students. It can be accessed on-campus and/or downloaded onto a personal computer. The Student Learning Centre provides EndNote training...

Is your systematic review intended for publication?

If the goal is to publish your review, to which journal do you intend to submit?
The editorial policy of your target journal may set out clear guidelines on the submission of systematic reviews. These guidelines may influence your methodology and how you report the review.  

Will your systematic review inform your PhD research?

If your systematic review is intended to inform PhD research, librarians can provide training and advice on search strategies and database translation. Librarians can also advise on how to set up autoalerts to automatically harvest any new studies published during the course of your candidature. In accordance with the University’s academic integrity policy they are not able to conduct the searches and translate into multiple sources.

Making an Appointment

You may benefit from a personalised research consultation if you are undertaking a Systematic or Literature Review and are:

·       needing guidance with search tools and planning your search strategy  

·       unsure whether you have located all relevant resources 

·       wanting assistance to identify and search the Library's specialist databases  

Appointments are 1 hour and can be face-to-face, by phone or online.

Need help?

Have a query or need help with a research request? Please contact the Library.

Service One

library@flinders.edu.au

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Sturt Rd, Bedford Park
South Australia 5042

Ph: 1300 354 633 (Select 3)
Email: library@flinders.edu.au

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