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Systematic Reviews

A guide for finding standards, procedures, resources, and assistance in supporting systematic searches of the biomedical literature.

Library Support for Systematic Reviews

Consultation:
Library faculty can advise your research team on all aspects of the systematic review process, including identification of information sources, selection of search terms, and reference management strategies. To arrange a consultation Ask the Library.


Collaboration:
The Institute of Medicine recommends the involvement of an information professional when conducting a systematic review [1].  A library faculty member can join your research team to assist with:

•    Development or refinement of review topic
•    Identification of databases for searches
•    Development and execution of searches
•    Documentation of search strategies
•    Selection of a citation management strategy
•    Writing the literature search section in manuscript Methods
•    Review of other manuscript sections or final draft
•    Updating searches as needed

The decision for a library faculty member to join your research team, as a collaborator should be decided early in the process.  As a member of the research team, co-authorship on the resulting publication is common practice and expected.

Reference:

1. Finding What Works in Health Care: Standards for Systematic Reviews. Consensus Report. Institute of Medicine of the National Academies, 2011 March 23.