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Systematic and Other Reviews: Pre-check

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

Pre-check

 

Before you commit yourself to doing a systematic review, there are a number of things to look into before you get started.

Check for existing reviews

 

If there is a systematic review already published or underway on your topic you may need to reconsider your question.

To check, search in multi-disciplinary databases. We suggest:

  • Google Scholar
  • Web of Science
  • Scopus

To check if there is a systematic review that is in progress, check study registries.

  • PROSPERO

Searching for existing reviews or protocols does not require a comprehensive search strategy. Use keywords in your search which represent your main concepts in your topic.

e.g. "green tea" AND cancer AND "systematic review"

Consult a guide

 

While guides like this one can be useful resources that can support the conduct of a systematic review - it's important to refer to more detailed instruction to ensure you don't miss any important steps.

Below is a detailed list of commonly accepted guides. Pick one to use in consultation with your supervisor. You may choose a particular one depending on the nature of your question, or your discipline area.

Quantitative (intervention or effectiveness) questions

  • Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions
  • JBI Manual for Evidence Synthesis (Chapter 3)

Qualitative

  • JBI Manual for Evidence Synthesis (Chapter 2)
  • ENTREQ Statement

Mixed-methods (Qualitative and Quantitative)

  • JBI Manual for Evidence Synthesis (Chapter 8)
  • PRISMA 2020 Checklist
  • ROSES (Reporting Standards for Systematic Evidence Synthesis)

Guides and Manuals