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- Systematic and Scoping Reviews
- Planning Your Review
Systematic and Scoping Reviews
Your Timeline
On average, the systematic review process is 12 to 18 months. Each step needs to be carefully planned, executed and documented.
- Estimated Timeline for Systematic ReviewDetailed breakdown of the systematic review process with estimated timelines (in months).
- PredicTER toolCalculates the time requirements for various tasks involved in the systematic review.
Borah, R., Brown, A. W., Capers, P. L., & Kaiser, K. A. (2017). Analysis of the time and workers needed to conduct systematic reviews of medical interventions using data from the PROSPERO registry. BMJ Open, 7(2), e012545. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2016-012545
Your Team
Those planning a systematic review are encouraged to have a team of individuals, each with different skill sets.
The team should have a minimum of three members to minimize bias in the review process but a larger team is recommended.
The team should consist of members with the following skills/knowledge:
- Content expert(s)
- Methodology expert(s)
- Librarian or search expert
- Statistician/data manager
Standards, Manuals and Guidelines
A range of standards and guidelines are available to help you plan and conduct your systematic review. PRISMA for example includes a list of items necessary for reporting a review. Having this list in advance will aid in the planning process.
Standards and manuals for systematic reviews:
- Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions (2021)Includes MECIR - Methodological Expectations of Cochrane Intervention Reviews
- Campbell Systematic Reviews: Policies and Guidelines (2020)Includes MECCIR - Methodological Expectations for Campbell Collaboration Intervention Reviews
- Joanna Briggs Institute - JBI Manual for Evidence Synthesis (2020)For reviews in Nursing
- What Works Clearinghouse Procedures Handbook - Version 4.1For reviews in Education
Guidelines for documenting and reporting:
Search For Published Systematic Reviews
You will want to be sure that there isn't an existing review on your topic already. Here are some places you can look for existing systematic reviews.
- Campbell CollaborationFor systematic reviews on the effects of social interventions in the areas of business, crime and justice, education, international development and social welfare.
- Collaboration for Environmental EvidenceContains all systematic reviews and systematic maps related to environmental policy and practice, approved by the CEE.
- EpistemonikosLargest source of systematic reviews relevant for health decision making.
- Evidence Search (NIHCE)Selected evidence, including systematic reviews, in health, social care and public health.
- PROSPEROSystematic reviews of health care interventions.
Databases containing systematic reviews available through the Library:
- Evidence Based Medicine (EBM) Reviews This link opens in a new windowTip: Use the 'Full Systematic Reviews' limit in the database.
- PsycINFO This link opens in a new windowTip: Use the Methodology filter in Advanced Search for systematic reviews.
There are also journals that focus specifically on publishing systematic reviews.