Systematic Reviews

Interested in learning more about systematic reviews in medicine and the health sciences? Belmont's Medical Library and Bunch Library are delighted to offer our three-workshop series in January-February 2025, which will provide an introduction to systematic review processes and how librarians can help. Explore the workshops below, and make sure to register to receive the workshop link:

What is a Systematic Review? 

Date: 24 January 2025, 12:00 PM, on Teams (Register here)

Description: While systematic reviews are generally considered to be at the top of the ‘evidence pyramid,’ not all are created equal! Come and learn about the purpose and steps of systematic reviews, the many types to choose from, and standards and guidelines available.

Which Review is Right for You?

Date: 31 January 2025, 12:00 PM, on Teams (Register here)

Description: Systematic, scoping, rapid, integrative… how do I know what review type is right for my research question? Come and discover the possibilities and pitfalls of different review types, and learn how to identify what types might be best for your research.

Systematic Approaches to Literature Reviews

Date: 7 February 2025, 12:00 PM, on Teams (Register here)

Description: There is a proliferation of reviews and review types, some with more methodological guidance than others. While systematic reviews are viewed as the gold standard, narrative reviews can contribute valuable new knowledge to a field. Come and learn how to take a systematic approach to any review to increase rigor and your chances of publication!  

Selecting the right review type for your research question is the first step for a successful review project. The following tools (or a librarian) can help you decide which review type is right for you:

In addition to the traditional Systematic Review, here are some other common review types:

Scoping or Mapping Review

• Answers a broad, topical question or questions 
• Risk of bias/critical appraisal not required 
• Synthesis is categorical for scoping review 
• Synthesis is a visual map for mapping review 

Sample Question (Scoping Review): What are the various strategies that have been used to engage patients and families in pediatric health research?

Sample Article (Scoping Review): Flynn R, Walton S, Scott SD. Engaging children and families in pediatric health research: a scoping review. Res Involv Engagem. 2019 Nov;5(32). 

Sample Question (Mapping Review): Why do patients with ‘primary care sensitive’ problems seek help from ambulance services?

Sample Article (Mapping Review): Booker, Matthew J., Ali R. G. Shaw, and Sarah Purdy. Why do Patients with 'Primary Care Sensitive' Problems Access Ambulance Services? A Systematic Mapping Review of the Literature. BMJ Open 2015, 5.5.

Resources for starting a scoping review:

• Arksey, H., & O’Malley, L. (2005). Scoping studies: towards a methodological framework. International Journal of Social Research Methodology, 8(1), 19-32. 
• Peters, M., Marnie, C., Tricco, A.C., Pollock, D., Munn, Z., Alexander, L., McInerney, P., Godfrey, C.M., & Khalil, H. (2020). Updated methodological guidance for the conduct of scoping reviews. JBI Evidence Synthesis, 18(10), 2119-2126. 
• Peters MDJ, Godfrey C, McInerney P, Munn Z, Tricco AC, Khalil, H. Chapter 10: Scoping Reviews In: Aromataris E, Munn Z (Editors). JBI Manual for Evidence Synthesis, JBI, 2024. Available from  https://synthesismanual.jbi.global.  

Integrative Review

• Summarizes literature about a healthcare problem or phenomenon, potentially utilizing both empirical and theoretical literature 
• Allows for the combination of publications with diverse methodologies (e.g. experimental and non-experimental research) 
• Popular in nursing research literature 

Sample Question: What factors are associated with major depression and suicide risk among nursing professionals?

Sample Article: Silva, Tavares, N. V. da S., Alexandre, A. R. G., Freitas, D. A., Brêda, M. Z., Albuquerque, M. C. D. S. de, & Melo, V. L. de N. (2015). Depression and suicide risk among nursing professionals: an integrative review. Revista da Escola de Enfermagem da U S P, 49(6), 1027–1031. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0080-623420150000600020

Resources for starting in integrative review:

• Whittemore, & Knafl, K. (2005). The integrative review: updated methodology. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 52(5), 546–553. 
• Hopia, Latvala, E., & Liimatainen, L. (2016). Reviewing the methodology of an integrative review. Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences, 30(4), 662–669. https://doi.org/10.1111/scs.12327 
• Toronto, C. E., & Remington, R. (Eds.). (2020). A step-by-step guide to conducting an integrative review. Springer. 

Rapid Review

• A systematic review with shortcuts (e.g. a limited search) 
• Useful for addressing issues that need a quick decision, such as developing policy recommendations or treatment recommendations for emergent conditions. 
• Enables a faster review process but may introduce bias 

Sample Question: Are digital contact tracing technologies effective during infectious disease outbreaks?

Sample Article: Anglemyer A, Moore THM, Parker L, Chambers T, Grady A, Chiu K, Parry M, Wilczynska M, Flemyng E, Bero L. Digital contact tracing technologies in epidemics: a rapid review. Cochrane Database  of Systematic Reviews 2020, Issue 8. Art. No.: CD013699.

Resources for starting a rapid review:

• Cochrane Methods: Rapid Reviews  
• Khangura, S., Konnyu, K., Cushman, R. et al. Evidence summaries: the evolution of a rapid review approach. Syst Rev 1, 10 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1186/2046-4053-1-10
• Maureen Dobbins, R., PhD. (2017). Rapid Review Guidebook: Steps for conducting a rapid review. 
• Tricco, A. C., Antony, J., Zarin, W., Strifler, L., Ghassemi, M., Ivory, J., . . . Straus, S. E. (2015). A scoping review of rapid review methods. BMC Med, 13, 224. doi:10.1186/s12916-015-0465-6

Umbrella Review

• A review of other systematic reviews 
• Often attempts to answer a broader question than a systematic review typically would. 
• Useful when there are competing interventions to consider. 

Sample Question: What is the global COVID-19 vaccine acceptance rate, and what factors determine that acceptance rate?

Sample Article: Abate BB, Tilahun BD, Yayeh BM. Global COVID-19 vaccine acceptance level and its determinants: an umbrella review. BMC Public Health. 2024 Jan 2;24(1):5. doi: 10.1186/s12889-023-17497-4.

Resources for starting an umbrella review:

• Chapter 9: Umbrella Reviews – from the JBI Manual for Evidence Synthesis   
• Fusar-Poli P, Radua J. Ten simple rules for conducting umbrella reviews. Evid Based Ment Health. 2018 Aug;21(3):95-100. doi: 10.1136/ebmental-2018-300014.
• Aromataris, Edoardo et al. Summarizing Systematic Reviews: Methodological Development, Conduct and Reporting of an Umbrella Review Approach. International journal of evidence-based healthcare 13.3 (2015): 132–140. 

Fifty Shades of Review with Andrew Booth (2016) - a recorded webinar and resource toolkit 

Grant, M.J., & Booth, A. (2009). A typology of reviews: an analysis of 14 different review types and associated methodologies. Health Information and Libraries Journal, 26: 91-108. DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-1842.2009.00848.x