The physical space of the MSK Library is permanently closed to visitors as of Friday, May 17, 2024. Please visit this guide for more information.
The physical space of the MSK Library is permanently closed to visitors as of Friday, May 17, 2024. Please visit this guide for more information.
Systematic Reviews (SRs) are a form of Evidence-Based Practice. They are scientific investigations in themselves, with pre-planned methods and an assembly of original studies as their “subjects.”
They synthesize the results of multiple primary investigations by using strategies that limit bias and random error. These strategies include a comprehensive search of all potentially relevant articles and the use of explicit, reproducible criteria in the selection of articles for review.
Primary research designs and study characteristics are appraised, data are synthesized, and results are interpreted.
A systematic review may be undertaken to confirm or refute whether or not current practice is based on relevant evidence, to establish the quality of that evidence, and to address and/or recommend changes.
If you are not sure that a Systematic Review is the right approach for your research, Cornell University Library has developed a decision tree to help researchers determine the best review methodology that fits their timeline, question scope, and desired outcome.
Preliminary assessment of potential size and scope of available research literature. Scoping reviews are often a first step in conducting a SR because it allows the investigator the opportunity to review the literature landscape and determine whether or not a SR is feasible (too much or too little publications). This type of review takes the same systematic and rigorous methodologies used in conducting an SR.
This document presents the PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews) checklist and explanation. (Oct 2018)
Once you decide that you want to conduct a systematic review with your team, the first step to working with the MSK Library on your systematic review is to fill out our Systematic Review Search Request form. Your request will be reviewed and a research informationist will be assigned to work with you and your team.
The National Academies' standards for systematic reviews (3.1.1) states: work with a librarian or other information specialist trained in performing systematic reviews to plan the search strategy. The MSK research informationist's team has collaborated with researchers on a number of systematic reviews. Before a research informationist can be part of our Systematic Review Service, they must attend formal training to hone their search expertise and be able to provide guidance on the systematic review process.