LibGuides: Systematic Reviews: Step 5: Run Finalized Searches

Documentation of searches

The PRISMA Flow Diagram provides transparency and allows for reproducibility of the systematic review.

The PRISMA flow diagram visually summarizes the screening process. It initially records the number of articles found in each resource and then makes the selection process transparent by reporting on decisions made at various stages of the systematic review. The number of articles is recorded at each step of the screening process. When you're excluding articles at the full-text stage, it is important to include the reasons for exclusion.

PRISMA Flow Diagrams
The flow diagram depicts the flow of information through the different phases of a systematic review. It maps out the number of records identified, included and excluded, and the reasons for exclusions. Different templates are available depending on the type of review (new or updated) and sources used to identify studies.
PRISMA Flow Diagram Tool
This tool allows you to produce a flow diagram for your own review that conforms to the PRISMA2020 Statement.
Common Questions on Tracking Records and the Flow Diagram
In this article, we review some of the common questions about using the PRISMA 2020 flow diagram and tracking records through the systematic review process.

Items to Document During the Search Process

Information Sources and Methods

Database name
Date of search and searcher's name
Study registries searches
Grey literature sources searched
Any other method used to find additional information, such as searching specific journals or citation chasing from specific articles

Search Strategies

Full search strings
Search limiters used (such as publication date range or language)
Updates to the search (such as redoing the search at a later date or using search alerts
Number of results retrieved from each search

Managing Records

How search results were organized
What reference managers or other tools were used
How results were de-duplicated

PRISMA S Checklist
The PRISMA-S checklist covers items to be included for the literature search documentation.

Citation Managers

Citation managers are tools that can help you stay organized during the searching stage of a systematic review. They can be used to

Keep track of pilot and test searches
Collect together all your searches from different databases
De-deduplicate your search results

Citation Management
A library guide on various citation manager software options and tutorials on how to use the software.

Covidence

What is Covidence?

a web-based screening and data extraction tool
Allows for bulk uploads of references and deduplication
Allows the team lead to assign members tasks
Inclusion and exclusion criteria are highlighted during the screening process
Allows for blinded, independent screening of title/abstract & full text
And much more!

Why Covidence?

Reduces bias in the screening process and improves validity of the review
Assists with deduplication
Provides data extraction

How do I get a Covidence account?

Please contact your liaison librarian (libmo@atsu.edu or libaz@atsu.edu)
Due to the limited number of accounts available, all requests for Covidence accounts will be screened for eligibility
Student assignments are not eligible for Covidence accounts. Free trial accounts are available for student use.

Please see the Covidence Knowledge Base for tutorials and instructional articles and Covidence Academy for video tutorials.

Here is a short demo video to get you started

Please email libmo@atsu.edu or libaz@atsu.edu to request a Covidence account