What is needed to do a review?
If you took a look at the RETREAT framework on the previous page you will have noted there are a number of things required to successfully complete a review. Researchers often under estimate the time and resources required. You will need at least one other reviewer to screen through all of the papers. You will need access to a reference management system such as Endnote. If you are undertaking a meta analysis you will also need to contact a biostatistician.
Both Cochrane and JBI recommend the addition of a librarian to the review team. Check out this article on the contribution of the librarian to a review team.
Resources
Considerations:
Methodological guidelines require that multiple reviewers are involved during all stages of a review.
It is not rigorous enough to single review the papers at the title/abstract screening stage, or to use a sampling approach to quality control.
If you are under a short or tight timeline you could consider doing a rapid review instead.
Time
A team
Read this paper on the requirements of the time and workers required for undertaking a systematic review
Take a look at this paper highlighting the need for dual screening
Access to databases
A protocol
Considerations:
Developing a review protocol can:
Help avoid duplication of research
Help to clarify the SR process and its steps
Aid clear establishment of the inclusion and exclusion criteria
Can also be published - a small number of journals will publish protocol papers
Check out the Prisma-P checklist
Watch this video from JBI
Take a look at the JBI protocol guide
Have a look at this guide from UniSA
Read this paper on the importance of protocols
Primary studies!
Considerations:
How many papers do I need? This is a common question from researchers, and there is no definite answer.
However as a very general guide you would be hoping for more than 4 papers in the final analysis (personal opinion).
Scope searches: Scope your topic first in a database you are comfortable with.
You will be able to see how your concepts connect
Learn to follow citation trials
Collect a reference set of relevant papers
Check out this video on scoping searches from Yale University
Do a search in PubMed Clinical Queries and limit to the correct clinical study type