The first step of your systematic literature review (SLR) is to develop your research question or topic.
There are frameworks and tools you can use to help you develop your research question, including the PICO and SPIDER frameworks, and the PRISMA checklist. Check that you are complying with any expectations of a systematic review in your field. For example, make sure you are clear on whether you need to register your review with PROSPERO.
Once you've formulated your research question, you can start searching for examples of systematic literature reviews.
Step 2: Find examples of systematic reviews
Systematic reviews which have been published in journals can help you decide where and how to conduct searches for your own review. SLRs often include the search strategy and library databases the researchers used.
You can find an example of a systematic review by including the phrase "systematic review" in your search strategy in any of your chosen databases.
e.g. "systematic review" AND (topic words)
You can also search for examples of SLRs in evidence based health databases like these:
Evidence Based Practice. Resources include Evidence Based Recommended Practices (consists an equipment list & occupational health and safety provisions), Evidence Summaries and Systematic Reviews (Literature Reviews) and Protocols and Consumer Information Sheets. Updated weekly.
Evidence based practice, including Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (CDSR) and the central register of clinical trials from the Cochrane Collaboration research groups. International. Full-text. Dates vary
Within Advanced Search, apply Search Limits to search the full database or specific content type.
Step 3: Select and search databases
It takes time to develop and replicate your search. Once you find a search strategy that works for you, run the same search in each of the databases you have selected for your review. See search tips for systematic reviews.
