ACAP Library Pathfinder: Systematic Searching for a Review

This guide provides a methodology for planning and creating a multi-database search strategy for students who are writing a review. Types may include but are not limited to systematic, scoping, rapid or literature reviews and systemised literature reviews.

Based on Bramer et al. (2018), Rethlefsen et al. (2021) and Shamseer et al. (2015) the methodology used here includes the following steps. You may also want to refer to the PRISMA reporting guidelines.

Determine the Question & Key Concepts

• Framing the Review Question
• Determining the Question with PICO+
• Other Frameworks

Information Sources

• Choose appropriate databases
• Other Information Sources
• Scoping Searches, Gold Sets & Literature Mapping

Search Strategies & Examples

• Document the Search Strategy
• Identify Search Terms
• Advanced Searching 
• Test & Optimise Searches
• Translate Searches across Databases
• Examples and Instructional Videos

Managing, Assessing & Appraising Results

• Saving & Managing Searches & Results
• Selecting & Screening
• Appraising Results

Next Steps & Help

• Data Extraction, Analysis & Synthesis
• Contacts

Further Reading

Bramer, W. M., de Jonge, G. B., Rethlefsen, M. L., Mast, F., & Kleijnen, J. (2018). A systematic approach to searching: an efficient and complete method to develop literature searches. Journal of the Medical Library Association, 106(4), 531–541. https://doi.org/10.5195/jmla.2018.283

Rethlefsen, M.L., Kirtley, S., Waffenschmidt, S. Melissa L., Ayala, A. P., Moher, D., Page, M. J., Koffel, J. B., & PRISMA-S Group. (2021). PRISMA-S: an extension to the PRISMA Statement for Reporting Literature Searches in Systematic Reviews. Systematic Reviews, 10(39). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13643-020-01542-z

Shamseer, L., Moher, D., Clarke, M., Ghersi, D., Liberati, A., Petticrew, M., Shekelle, P., Stewart, L., & PRISMA-P Group. (2015). Preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis protocols (PRISMA-P) 2015: elaboration and explanation. BMJ, 2(349), Article g7647. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.g7647