Your subject-specific guide to using library resources.
Definitions of systematic reviews vary but high quality reviews usually aim to answer a research question by:
There are different types of Systematic Reviews. These include:
For more information, on different types of reviews, please click here.
Standard systematic reviews come in many shapes and sizes and vary between subjects. Complex questions can involve large teams of researchers and can take months to complete. Smaller reviews can involve one or two people (ideally screening of results should be carried out by two people independently). Resources and time will influence what level of review you can complete. It is vital that you discuss with your supervisor exactly what they expect you to do.
Conducting a systematic review, although it does involve a series of steps, is not a linear process. You may need to revisit some of the steps more than once.
If you have answered yes to any of the questions above, it may be that you are doing a systematic literature review rather than a systematic review. If this is the case, then this guide will still be of use to you, but you may not have to follow all the steps in full. Always check with a supervisor and discuss if you are unsure.
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