LibGuides: Systematic Review (SR) Service: Getting Started

Research Informationist as Co-Investigator

The research informationist as co-investigator is committed to collaborating and supporting the following Systematic Review tasks:

Determine if a systematic review has already been done on your topic.
Translate the research question into an appropriate search strategy.
Explore registering your systematic review in PROSPERO. (Authors should check with the journal they wish to submit their manuscript to, to confirm whether or not protocol registration is required).
Translate the search concepts into controlled vocabulary and keywords so that retrieval is maximized at the same time as being precise. The search strategy is also reviewed by another research informationist based on the PRESS 2015 Guideline. Peer-review of the search strategies using this methodology enhances the quality and comprehensiveness of the final search strings used.
Recommend specific databases and other information sources to be searched.
Conduct the literature searches.
Provide training to your administrative staff or designated team member in how to access full text articles or request them via MSK Document Delivery. Help obtain or verify any references found from hand searching or other venues.
Provide guidance and support regarding bibliographic management tools.
Provide a Covidence account to assist with screening and managing steps in the systematic review process. You can create your personal sign-in with Covidence before or after joining the MSK Library's institutional account.
Write the literature search methodology section for the submitted manuscript.
Maintain records of search results and follow up with alerts and updates as needed.

Documents for Researchers

PRISMA Flow Diagram 2020
Different flow diagram templates are available depending on the type of review (new or updated) and sources used to identify studies.

PRISMA Flow Diagram 2009

PRISMA-S
Designed to guide authors in reporting the search component of systematic reviews. It includes a 16-item checklist and complements the main PRISMA statement by providing more detailed.
PRISMA Extensions
Find several extensions of the PRISMA Statement developed to facilitate the reporting of different types or aspects of systematic reviews. Review PRISMA for Abstracts, Equity, Harms (for reviews including Harm outcomes), Individual Patient Data, Network Meta-Analyses, Protocols, Diagnostic Test Accuracy, and extensions in development.
PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR): Checklist and Explanation
Scoping Review Protocol Guidance
Intended to serve as an educational tool for those developing or reviewing scoping review protocols. Content provides information for each core protocol component (see color-coded headings) consisting of overarching goals, core requirements, helpful tips, and published protocol examples.
When writing your protocol, use the Guidance document in tandem with the Scoping Review Protocol Template. The Guidance document includes tips, examples, and details about each section of the protocol. The Template includes headings and subheadings to use to structure the protocol (e.g., which order to present the information, what level of detail, etc.).

Key Steps Towards a Successful SR

STEP 1: Framing the Question
STEP 2: Assembling the team
STEP 3: Crafting the search strategy to identify relevant publications
STEP 4: Assessing the quality of the papers retrieved
STEP 5: Summarizing the evidence
STEP 6: Interpreting the findings
STEP 7: Publishing your results

MSK Systematic Review Classes

Several classes are available to our users to learn more about how to conduct systematic reviews. Check our calendar for current offerings or feel free to contact us to schedule a custom class time for you or your team (virtual or in-person).

Current offerings include:

Introduction to Systematic Reviews (60 to 75 mins) - Getting started with a systematic review, but not sure where to start? This class will showcase the basics of the systematic review process, plus key systematic review tools, resources, and guidelines.
Covidence (60 mins) - This web-based software platform streamlines the production of systematic reviews and supports key project steps such as: Citation screening, Full text review, Risk of Bias assessment, Extraction of study characteristics/outcome, and Export of data and references.

We also offer a workshop (Demystifying the Systematic Review Process, 4 to 4.5 hrs). This workshop and can be given as one session or broken down into a series of sessions, depending on the availability of the group. To learn more about this workshop or to schedule a date that works for your team, please contact Donna Gibson.