What is a systematic review?
What is a systematic review?
A systematic review is a firmly structured literature review, undertaken according to a fixed plan, system or method. As such, it is highly focused on a particular and explicit topic area with strict research parameters. Systematic reviews will often have a detailed plan known as a protocol, which is a statement of the approach and methods to be used in the review prior to undertaking it.
Systematic review methodology is explicit and precise because it aims to minimise bias, thereby enhancing the reliability of any conclusions. It is therefore considered an evidence-based approach. Systematic reviews are commonly used by health professionals, but also policy makers and researchers.
There is information about the difference between a systematic review and a literature review on this page. If you are undertaking systematic approach to a literature review, however, you might find certain aspects of this guide useful.
Literature review vs systematic review
You can find further information on literature reviews on our literature reviews page.
| Elements | Literature review | Systematic review |
| Question | Topic areas and research questions can be broad. There might be multiple areas of research focus. The research areas or questions may have a focus around a particular viewpoint or in support of a theory or existing body of knowledge. | Begins with a focused, well-defined and precise question. All the evidence, research or material should be found to answer the specific question. |
| Searching | A literature search may not always be comprehensive in scope. Searches may be undertaken using one or many sources, but not necessarily in a specific order. A rigorous search plan may not be employed and search results may be selected subjectively. | Searching is comprehensive in scope. It aims to find all the published and unpublished literature from a wide variety of sources in both print and electronic format. |
| Selection | There may not necessarily be a clear rationale as to why specific research has been included in the review. | Clear reasons for including or excluding studies are documented and informed by the research question. |
| Assessment | Individual studies are not always assessed for their quality and each study might not be assessed according to the same standards every time. | Individual studies within the review are assessed on their quality (how well they were conducted) and objectivity. |
| Reporting | A written report on search methodology and results is often not included, but where it is it will often not contain the same level of detail as that found in a systematic review. | Search methodology and search results are clearly articulated, so that the search can be replicated by others. Tables and charts are often used to document the search process. |
| Synthesis | Conclusions might not be based on the included studies, but rather build on original primary research or the researchers prior knowledge. | Clear conclusions can be made from the studies for recommendations for practice or further research. |
How we can help
What we need you to do:
- Have a firm idea of your research question or area
- List your main keywords and alternatives. You may want to use a table to organise your keywords.
- Think about how you will use your keywords to search using connectors such as AND/OR
- Define what you want to include and exclude from your search
- Consider where you want to search
- Run some initial searches and identify any problems or issues you want to discuss
What your librarian can help you with:
- Identifying relevant databases and other subject resources that could be used to supplement your review
- Demonstrating Library resources for use in the review
- Replicating searches on other databases and resources
- Reviewing your search strategy/approach
- Directing you to referencing software support
- Suggesting ways to save and document your search results
- Helping to locate difficult to find material, using the Request It! service