What is a systematic review?
"Systematic reviews seek to collate evidence that fits pre-specified eligibility criteria in order to answer a specific research question. They aim to minimize bias by using explicit, systematic methods documented in advance with a protocol."
(Cumpston et al., 2023, Key Points)
Systematic reviews have a history rooted in evidence-based medicine (EBM) and health research. Initially developed to inform best practices for health interventions, they have now evolved to play a crucial role across various research domains. Beyond their initial purpose, systematic reviews are increasingly utilised to inform policy decisions as well (EPPI Centre, n.d).
A key point to remember about systematic reviews is that they should be transparent and replicable.
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How your librarians can (and can't) help you
The Teaching and Learning Team offers research and referencing support to University of Waikato students and staff. However, our services are restricted to availability, capacity and the scope of our service parameters.
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In addition to this the Library's Open Research team can provide advice on:
- Data management
- Publishing advice
- Metrics & research profiles
Have a read through of this guide and if you are still unsure how to proceed, please book a consult with us.
Systematic Review / Evidence Synthesis Resources
- Campbell collaborationThe Campbell Collaboration is an international social science research network that produces high quality, open and policy-relevant evidence syntheses, plain language summaries and policy briefs.
- Finding What Works in Health Care: Standards for Systematic ReviewsInstitute of Medicine (US) Committee on Standards for Systematic Reviews of Comparative Effectiveness Research; Editors: Jill Eden, Laura Levit, Alfred Berg, and Sally Morton.
- MECIR Manual: Methodological Expectations of Cochrane Intervention Reviews (MECIR)Standards for the conduct of new Cochrane Intervention Reviews, and the planning and conduct of updates
- PROSPEROYou can register your protocol here to get it peer reviewed and to increase the rigor and reliability of your research. But it is also very handy to see how others have set out their protocols.
- OSFDiscover projects, data, materials, and collaborators on OSF that might be helpful to your own research
- Early Career Professionals Network: Registering Protocols of Systematic ReviewsOutlines the importance of registering your systematic review protocol and list other registration sites.
- RMIT University | Research writing: Starter PhrasesA list of sentence starters that you might find useful when writing your literature review.
- Systematic Reviews 101 - Elsevier (Video)Use your UoW email to sign in.
Comprehensive Systematic Review for Advanced Practice Nursing by Call Number: eBookISBN: 9780826152251Publication Date: 2021
An Introduction to Systematic Reviews by Call Number: Q180.A1 G72 2017ISBN: 9781473929425Publication Date: 2017
Principles and Practice of Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis by ISBN: 3030719200Publication Date: 2021
Systematic Approaches to a Successful Literature Review by Call Number: LB2369 .B66 2016ISBN: 9781473912458Publication Date: 2016
Practical introduction to writing reviews in health research by Call Number: eBookISBN: 9780645838831Publication Date: 2024
- Introducing scoping and systematic reviews
An easy to read introduction for students and researchers when undertaking scoping or systematic reviews. The book leads readers through the stages of conducting a review, such as planning, searching, screening, appraising, synthesising, reporting and publishing. Includes H5P activities and is based on current best practices of methodology and reporting.
- Andersen, M. Z., Zeinert, P., Rosenberg, J., & Fonnes, S. (2024). Comparative analysis of Cochrane and non-Cochrane reviews over three decades. Systematic Reviews, 13(1), 120. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13643-024-02531-2Comparative analysis of Cochrane and non-Cochrane reviews over three decades.
- Borah, R., Brown, A. W., Capers, P. L., & Kaiser, K. A. (2017). Analysis of the time and workers needed to conduct systematic reviews of medical interventions using data from the PROSPERO registry. BMJ Open, 7(2), e012545. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-Analysis of the time and workers needed to conduct systematic reviews of medical interventions using data from the PROSPERO registry.
- Bramer, W. M., de Jonge, G. B., Rethlefsen, M. L., Mast, F., & Kleijnen, J. (2018). A systematic approach to searching: an efficient and complete method to develop literature searches. Journal of the Medical Library Association : JMLA, 106(4), 531–541.A systematic approach to searching: an efficient and complete method to develop literature searches.
- Bramer, W. M., Giustini, D., Kleijnen, J., & Franco, O. H. (2018). Searching Embase and MEDLINE by using only major descriptors or title and abstract fields: a prospective exploratory study. Systematic Reviews, 7(1), 200.Searching Embase and MEDLINE by using only major descriptors or title and abstract fields: a prospective exploratory study.
- A Guide to Writing a Qualitative Systematic Review Protocol to Enhance Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing and Health CareAshleigh Butler, Helen Hall, & Beverley Copnell
- Munn, Z., Peters, M. D. J., Stern, C., Tufanaru, C., McArthur, A., & Aromataris, E. (2018). Systematic review or scoping review? Guidance for authors when choosing between a systematic or scoping review approach. BMC Medical Research Methodology, 18(1), 1Systematic review or scoping review? Guidance for authors when choosing between a systematic or scoping review approach.
- Phillips-Beck, W., Bukich, B. L. J., Thiessen, K., Lavoie, J. G., Schultz, A., Sanguins, J., Beck, G., Longclaws, B., Shingoose, G., Palmer, M., Linton, J., Negash, B., & Morriseau, T. (2024). An Indigenous-informed scoping review study methodology: advanAn Indigenous-informed scoping review study methodology: advancing the science of scoping reviews.
- Cochrane's Evidence Essentials6 learning modules (you'll need to create an account and/or log in to access them) on:
- Evidence-based medicine;
- Randomized controlled trials;
- Introduction to systematic reviews;
- Understanding and using systematic reviews;
- Consumer involvement in Cochrane;
- Critical appraisal of rapid reviews.
References
Cumpston, M., Flemyng, E., Thomas, J., Higgins, J. P. T., Deeks, J. J., & Clarke, M. J. (2023). Chapter I: Introduction. In J. P. T. Higgins, J. Thomas, J. Chandler, M. Cumpston, T. Li, M. J. Page, & V. A Welch (Eds.). Cochrane handbook for systematic reviews of interventions (version 6.4). Cochrane. https://training.cochrane.org/handbook/current/chapter-i
EPPI Centre. (n.d). History of systematic reviews. https://eppi.ioe.ac.uk/cms/Resources/EvidenceInformedPolicyandPractice/HistoryofSystematicReviews/tabid/68/Default.aspx