Before beginning a systematic review, consider whether it is the best type of review for your question, goals, and resources. The table below compares a few different types of reviews to help you decide which is best for you.
Systematic Review | Scoping Review | Systematized Review |
---|---|---|
Conducted for Publication | Conducted for Publication | Conducted for Assignment, Thesis, or (Possibly) Publication |
Protocol Required | Protocol Required | No Protocol Required |
Focused Research Question | Broad Research Question | Either |
Focused Inclusion & Exclusion Criteria | Broad Inclusion & Exclusion Criteria | Either |
Requires Large Team | Requires Small Team | Usually 1-2 People |
Systematic reviews follow established guidelines and best practices to produce high-quality research. Librarian involvement in systematic reviews is based on two levels. In Tier 1, the librarian will collaborate with researchers in a consultative manner. In Tier 2, the librarian will be an active member of your research team and co-author on your review. Roles and expectations of librarians vary based on the level of involvement desired. Examples of these differences are outlined in the table below.
Role | Tasks | Tier 1: Consultative | Tier 2: Research Partner / Co-author |
---|---|---|---|
Topic Development | Guidance on process and steps | Yes | Yes |
Background searching for past and upcoming reviews | Yes | Yes | |
Development of Eligibility Criteria | Development and/or refinement of review topic | Yes | Yes |
Assistance with refinement of PICO (population, intervention(s), comparator(s), and key questions | Yes | Yes | |
Guidance on study types to include | Yes | Yes | |
Protocol Creation and Registration | Guidance on protocol registration | Yes | Yes |
Searching | Identification of databases for searches | Yes | Yes |
Instruction in search techniques and methods | Yes | Yes | |
Training in citation management software use for managing and sharing results | Yes | Yes | |
Development and execution of searches | No | Yes | |
Downloading search results to citation management software and removing duplicates | No | Yes | |
Documentation of search strategies | No | Yes | |
Management of search results | No | Yes | |
Study Selection and Extraction | Guidance on methods | Yes | Yes |
Guidance on data extraction, and management techniques and software | Yes | Yes | |
Writing and Publishing | Suggestions of journals to target for publication | Yes | Yes |
Drafting of literature search description in "Methods" section | No | Yes | |
Creation of PRISMA diagram | No | Yes | |
Drafting of literature search appendix | No | Yes | |
Review other manuscript sections and final draft | No | Yes | |
Librarian contributions warrant co-authorship | No | Yes |
Researchers are conducting systematic reviews in a variety of disciplines. If your focus is on a topic other than health sciences, you may want to also consult the resources below to learn how systematic reviews may vary in your field. You can also contact a librarian for your discipline with questions.
Education
Environmental Topics
Social Sciences
Social Work
Software engineering
Sport, Exercise, & Nutrition
Updating reviews
Our legacy guide was used June 2020 to August 2022