Interested in conducting a literature review? There are many types—narrative, rapid, scoping, and systematic—all with different methodologies to use. The NIH Library’s Systematic Review Service is available to guide you through the entire process. We offer classes, consultations, and resources to help you with selecting the most appropriate type of review, writing the protocol, conducting the search, managing the results, and writing and publishing the review.
Classes
The NIH Library is offering a series of one-hour webinars on systematic reviews, including several NEW and recently UPDATED classes. Click on the links below for more information and to register.
- Introduction to the Systematic Review Process
September 7, 2022, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM - Developing and Publishing Your Systematic Review Protocol
September 8, 2022, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM - Developing the Research Question and Conducting the Literature Search
September 13, 2022, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM - Introduction to Scoping Reviews
September 14, 2022, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM - Establishing Your Eligibility Criteria and Conducting the Screening and Risk of Bias Steps in Your Review [UPDATED!]
September 15, 2022, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM - Selecting the Most Appropriate Type of Literature Review for Your Research
September 19, 2022, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM - The Benefits of Conducting a Rapid Review: An Introduction [NEW!]
September 21, 2022, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM - Using Covidence for Conducting Your Systematic Review
September 22, 2022, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM - Collecting and Cleaning Data for Your Review [UPDATED!]
September 26, 2022, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM - Introduction to Umbrella Reviews: Conducting a Review of Reviews [NEW!]
September 28, 2022, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM - Writing and Publishing Your Systematic Review
September 29, 2022, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Consultations
NIH Librarians are available to help you: select the most appropriate type of review for your research project, identify and complete the steps of your review, conduct the literature search, and edit the final manuscript. Schedule a consultation to get started today.
Covidence: Systematic Review Software
The NIH Library provides access to Covidence, an online tool for managing and streamlining your systematic review. Covidence can help you screen citations, conduct data extraction, and perform critical appraisal. For access to Covidence or assistance with using it, please contact us using our Ask a Question form.
Databases
The NIH Library provides access to three primary databases used for most systematic reviews, in addition to many others:
- Cochrane Library
Contains high-quality, independent evidence to inform health care decision making, including the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL). CENTRAL is a curated registry of randomized and quasi-randomized controlled trials conducted worldwide. Search using keywords or controlled vocabulary terms, and export results to a citation management tool. - Embase
Allows users to build comprehensive literature searches through its extensive, deeply indexed database and flexible search options. By applying the PICO (Patient or Problem; Intervention; Comparison or Control; and Outcome) framework, users can structure searches that address clinical questions. Users can search Embase by keywords, controlled vocabulary terms, or use a special search feature to find literature on drugs, medical devices, pharmacovigilance, and more. - PubMed/MEDLINE
Features advanced search functions and filters to find literature for your systematic review. Search using keywords and controlled vocabulary terms from MeSH (Medical Subject Headings) to focus your search and find relevant information.
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