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Systematic Reviews

This guide provides a step-by-step breakdown of how to conduct a systematic review and how librarians can assist in the process.

Comprehensive Literature Searching Skills Tutorials

The library has created three library training modules dedicated to advanced literature searching techniques needed to perform systematic literature reviews such as systematic reviews or scoping reviews. 

Before starting the tutorials, it is recommended you have some familiarity with advanced search techniques such as the use of Boolean operators and using MeSH terms in PubMed. While you are not required to take the tutorials in order, they do build upon one another and later tutorials will assume you have skills gained in prior tutorials. See below for more information about each tutorial

Tutorial 1 - Systematic Search Techniques for Literature Reviews

Tutorial 1: Systematic Search Techniques for Literature Reviews

This tutorial will cover:

  • Turning a research question into search concepts
  • Identifying natural language keywords for a search concept
  • Identifying appropriate MeSH terms for a research question
  • Using advanced search techniques such as Boolean operators, search limiters, truncation, phrase searching, and field tags to construct a comprehensive search

Tutorial 2 - Finding Keywords for Systematic Searches

Tutorial 2: Finding Keywords for Systematic Searches

This tutorial will cover how to identify keywords in the following ways:

  • Using your own professional knowledge
  • Using Still OneSearch
  • Using an article's metadata
  • Using the MeSH browser

Tutorial 3 - Database Translation

Tutorial 3: Database Translation

In this tutorial, you will learn:

  • What a field code is and why they are using in database searching
  • How to identify appropriate field codes in CINAHL to use in comprehensive searches
  • How to convert MeSH terms into CINAHL Subject Headings and use them in your search
  • How to put together a comprehensive search string in CINAHL