STEP 3: Search for Studies |
When you're ready to start searching the literature expect to:
Work with a NMCSD Librarian |
The NMCSD librarians are available to work with you on your search, conducting the search, providing guidance on search strategy development and database recommendations, documenting the search strategies used, and [writing the search methodology portion of the review.]
Begin by answering a few questions about your project so we can approach your search correctly: Systematic Review Consultation Request Questionnaire
Please call 619-532-7950 or email: usn.nmcsd-library@health.mil with any questions
Finding Studies for Systematic Reviews |
"Systematic reviews require a thorough, objective and reproducible search of a range of sources to identify as many eligible studies as possible (within resource limits). This is a major factor distinguishing systematic reviews from traditional narrative reviews, which helps to minimize bias and achieve more reliable estimates of effects and uncertainties. A search of MEDLINE alone is not considered adequate. Research evidence indicates that not all known published randomized trials are available in MEDLINE and that even if relevant records are in MEDLINE, it can be difficult to retrieve them" (Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions, section 4.2.2)
In order to be comprehensive, more than one resource or type of resource, including non-journal literature, should be searched. Studies can be found using a combination of sources:
Search Tips
Documenting the Search |
An NMCSD Librarian can assist with this step. Documentation is provided to you when a Librarian performs your searches.
Reproducibility and transparency are important traits of high-quality systematic reviews. It is important to keep clear documentation of your literature searching activities. This involves:
If your review process spans many months, searches may need to be re-run in order to capture the most recent results.
The PRISMA 2020 Checklist provides detailed information on the elements to document when carrying out a systematic review search.
Citation Management |
Systematic review searches can generate a ton of articles to work through and manage. The NMCSD Library provides the reference management software EndNote Web for free.
Find out how to create an account and download Cite While You Write plugin on your work or personal computer. Also find information on using EndNote and library training sessions on using the product.
You can also use some of the other bibliographic management tools currently on the market:
Modified with permission from https://henryford.libguides.com/sr
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