Systematic Review: Definition and Elements
A systematic review is a comprehensive literature search that tries to answer a focused research question using existing research as evidence.
Elements of a Systematic Review:
- Research team: including two independent screeners, a tie-breaker, librarian, and statistician
- Focused research question, including a measurable outcome
- Written and registered protocol: PROSPERO
- Inclusion/exclusion criteria
- Comprehensive literature searches of multiple databases: performed by librarian
- Screening and study selection: two independent screeners, conflicts resolved by third reviewer
- Quality assessment: transparent assessment using validated tools
- Reporting guidelines: following PRISMA checklist
- Time: systematic reviews can take at least 12 months to complete
Types of Reviews
Although systematic reviews may be the best known review type, there are a variety of different types of literature reviews that vary in terms of scope, comprehensiveness, time constraints, and types of studies included.
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