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Systematic Reviews

Library resources for researchers Systematic Reviews

Researcher Resources

     Advanced searching  Bibliometrics  Grey literature  Keeping up to date  Read & Publish  Research data  Statistical tools & services  Strategic publishing  Need help?

Undertaking a systematic review

A systematic review is a specific research methodology with well-defined, internationally accepted characteristics. The library provides resources and support so you can independently carry out systematic literature searching.

To begin, visit the self-paced Systematic Literature Searching module in FLO (FAN login required) before attending a drop-in session, where you can get help with troubleshooting systematic reviews.

Systematic searching module

Attend a drop-in


Need more help?

We have a number of comprehensive fact sheets which provide further information on conducting a search. Post-doctoral researchers can also arrange a consultation with a librarian.

Fact sheets and guides 

Consulting a librarian 

Fact sheets and guides

The following resources provide further detail on specific aspects of undertaking a review.

Useful links

     Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions  Institute of Medine's standards for systematic reviews  Preferred reporting items for Systematic reviews and Meta-analyses  JBI manual for evidence synthesis

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

Consulting a librarian

Librarians support the Flinders University research community in their undertaking of systematic review activity through the provision of online training, workshops, and consultations when required. View the available services for your research project.

HDRs and academics

The self-paced Systematic Literature Searching course in FLO (FAN login required) provides information on how to work through systematic literature searching.  

For guidance on how to use the FLO course to your advantage and ask questions about undertaking a search, the library runs frequent drop-in sessions you can attend.

If you are an HDR student and new to systematic reviews, we suggest that you work through the FLO module Preparing for a review  (15-30mins) before attending, to ensure you get the most from your time in the session. 

If you have done a systematic review previously (or have done training from another source) please complete Design your project - checklist  prior to attending a drop-in. 

In the drop-in sessions the librarians can check over your search provide you with advice on:  

  • how well your search fits with your research question
  • any redundant or missing terms and with general search syntax (logic, spelling and appropriate Boolean operators) 
  • general questions on review software such as JBI SUMARI and Covidence 
  • troubleshooting search translation into various databases

Attend a drop-in

If your systematic review is intended to inform PhD research or other examinable work, in accordance with the University’s Academic Integrity Policy, the librarian is not able to conduct the searches and translate into multiple sources. 

Librarian acknowledgement welcomed in any reports or research publications, but not required.  

Post-doctoral researchers

An advanced service is available to support post-doctoral researchers undertaking systematic reviews; credit of the librarian’s contribution should be made in any publication’s acknowledgements. 

You are able to consult a librarian from the Library Research Engagement team, who will inform you when they have capacity to take on your request; prior online preparation is required. If you are new to systematic reviews, we require that you work through the FLO module Preparing for a Review (15-30mins) prior to meeting with a librarian, to ensure you get the most from your appointment time. 

If you have done a systematic review previously (or have done training from another source) please complete Design your project - checklist  in preparation for your consultation. 

Contact a librarian

Overview of support available for this service level:

Part of search Support provided by librarian
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)
Post-doctoral researcher, with librarian as co-author

A librarian can form part of the systematic review team as a co-author with post-doctoral researchers and will provide an agreed number of hours of research services.

Enquire about co-authorship

Overview of support available for this service level:

Part of search Support provided by librarian
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 edit a master search based on results
  • Search translation this into targeted databases
  • Run searches and extract results
Part C: Managing citations
  • Provide support for reference management (e.g. Endnote)
  • De-duplicate references and prepare Endnote library and/or Covidence upload
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

Need help?

Contact the Library Research Engagement team for support with
systematic reviewsand literature searching.

Service One

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

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Last Updated: 28 Apr 2023
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