Systematic Reviews: Introduction
What is a Systematic Review?
A systematic review is a type of publication that attempts to answer a specific research question by collecting and analysing all the evidence from literature that is available on the topic.
A full systematic review requires multiple authors and can take 6 months to 2 years to complete.
This guide is aimed at undergraduate and masters level students in health and life sciences. At undergraduate and masters level, if your assignment is a 'systematic review', it is likely a systematised review, which takes the principles of a systematic review, but is not as in depth. Please speak to your module leader/supervisor if you are unsure.
Always refer to your assignment brief as your primary guide. If anything in this guide differs to what you have been told by your module leader or assignment brief, please follow their advice first.
Systematic review video
Stages of the review
What is the point of a Systematic Review?
- The methods can be replicated by other researchers in the future
- Avoids bias and ‘cherry picking’ of articles
- More confidence in the findings if it's done systematically
Example structure
You should always check your assignment brief/Aula page for information about how to structure your Systematic Review. The following is an example structure and may not be relevant for your assignment.
Check your assignment brief for instructions on cover pages, contents page etc.
Abstract
- You may be required to do a structured, graphical or another type of abstract - check with your assignment brief/Aula
Introduction/Background
- Background on your topic, rationale, purpose and significance of the review
Methods
- Search terms and Boolean terms used
- Details of databases and other sources searched
- Inclusion/exclusion criteria (perhaps presented as a table)
- Screening methodology (PRISMA)
Results
- Details of the number of studies selected for synthesis
- Summary/table/description of studies
- Meta-analysis (if appropriate)
Discussion
- Discussion of the results
- Critical appraisal of the evidence
Conclusion
- A conclusion of the findings
Reference list
Appendices
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