Systematic literature review is an in-depth, structured literature review designed to answer a specific question.
Each paper is read systematically against a set of evaluation criteria to:
The review is conducted using rigorous methods to:
A systematic literature review is where the search protocol is specified BEFORE the literature review is begun.
This protocol, or rigorous search methodology, is just as important as the literature review itself.
You will therefore need to spend time planning your approach to the literature review.
The search terms, search strategies (including database names, platforms, dates of search) and limiters used to conduct your research are included in the submitted review.
A systematic literature review aggregates, categorises and quantitively analyses aspects of every piece of research on a clearly formulated question as determined by the predefined criteria, protocol or plan.
The process for conducting a systematic literature review is similar to conducting a systematic review (which is specifically conducted to answer a clinical research question).
The Systematic Reviews Research Guide details the systematic review process.
Adapt the PICO framework to determine the parameters of your review.
Use the PRISMA 2020 Checklist to guide your eligibility criteria, evaluation criteria and methodology.
Use the PRISMA for Searching checklist to structure your search strategy.
Example evaluation criteria:
Methodology used to search for, select, and analyse literature is included in a systematic literature review.
Three types of methodologies:
Systematic literature reviews present statistical information about how many studies were searched and selected, and how many studies contained specific topics.
Use a spreadsheet or table to record searches as evidence of your search method and process.
Record all searches in each database, the search strings used for each search, the number of search results, as well as the date of when each search was conducted.
Example headings :