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Systematic and Other Reviews: Screening

This guide contains information about systematic reviews and links to resources to help you conduct one.

Screening

 

Once you have searched the databases suitable for your Systematic Review, exported them to a referencing manager and removed duplicates you are ready to start the screening process. 

There are two stages of screening: 

1. Screen by Title and Abstract 

2. Screen by full text 

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Tip: There should be at least two people involved in the screening process. 

 

 

Exporting from EndNote to Covidence

 

After deduplication, remaining papers are screened for suitability at the abstract level. To facilitate this, researchers often export their results to screening software like Covidence or Rayyan.

To export from EndNote to Covidence follow these steps:

  • Highlight the references you wish to export from your EndNote library. If you want to select all of them, be sure to select all in your EndNote library before exporting.
  • Click on File > Export
  • Select your file type and export style. You can export to RIS or XML
  • To export to RIS: select "Text only" under "Save file as type" and "RefMan (RIS) Export" under "Output Style"
  • To export to XML: select "XML" under "save file as type" and then select your choice of output style. 
  • Click Save

Watch the video below to learn more about importing citations into Covidence from EndNote:

Tools for screening 

 

Screening software can help facilitate the screening process. There are many out there, and they provide a user-friendly interface to conduct your screening and record your screening decisions, along with your collaborator. 

Chapter Summary

Chapter Summary

 

Learnings

  • De-duplicated results are usually exported into a screening software such as Covidence. 
  • There are usually two stages of screening: Title/Abtract and Full Screening. At least two reviewers are required.

⚠️ I'm stuck!

What file format?

There are instructions above for exporting your Endnote library into Covidence. If importing directly from the database, use an .rsi filetype.

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