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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 Screening Software

 

After you have deduplicated your results, you will need to screen the remaining papers for suitability at the abstract level. To facilitate this, researchers often export their results to screening softwares like Covidence. 

To export from EndNote to Covidence follow these steps or watch the video below:

1. Highlight the references you wish to export from your EndNote library. If you want to select all of them, be sure to do select all in your EndNote library before exporting.

2. Click on File>Export

3. Select your file type and export style. 
You can export to RIS or XML. Both should work with Covidence

  • 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. 

4, Click Save

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.