How can you use a systematic approach to literature review?

1 Define your research question

The first step is to define your research question clearly and precisely. This will guide your search strategy, inclusion and exclusion criteria, data extraction, and synthesis. Your research question should be relevant, specific, and answerable. You can use the PICO framework to formulate your question, which stands for Population, Intervention, Comparison, and Outcome. For example, if you are interested in the effects of online learning on academic performance, your question could be: How does online learning compare to traditional learning in terms of academic performance among undergraduate students?

2 Conduct a comprehensive search

The second step is to conduct a comprehensive search of relevant sources and databases that cover your topic or question. You should use a combination of keywords, synonyms, Boolean operators, filters, and subject headings to retrieve as many relevant studies as possible. You should also document your search strategy, including the sources, terms, and dates used, and update it as needed. You can use tools such as EndNote, Zotero, or Mendeley to manage your references and avoid duplication.

3 Select and appraise the studies

The third step is to select and appraise the studies that meet your inclusion and exclusion criteria. You should screen the titles and abstracts of the retrieved studies and exclude those that are clearly irrelevant or do not meet your criteria. Then, you should obtain the full texts of the remaining studies and assess them for eligibility and quality. You should use a standardized checklist or tool to evaluate the quality and risk of bias of the studies, such as the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) or the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool. You should also document the reasons for inclusion and exclusion of the studies and report them in a flow diagram.

4 Extract and analyze the data

The fourth step is to extract and analyze the data from the included studies. You should use a predefined form or table to extract the relevant information from each study, such as the authors, year, design, sample, intervention, comparison, outcome, results, and limitations. You should also check the accuracy and consistency of the data extraction and resolve any discrepancies. Then, you should synthesize the data using either a narrative or a meta-analysis approach, depending on the type and quality of the studies. A narrative synthesis summarizes and compares the findings qualitatively, while a meta-analysis combines and quantifies the findings statistically.

5 Interpret and present the results

The fifth step is to interpret and present the results of your synthesis. You should discuss the main findings, implications, limitations, and gaps of your literature review. You should also compare and contrast your results with the existing literature and explain how they answer your research question. You should present your results in a clear and concise manner, using tables, charts, graphs, or forest plots as appropriate. You should also follow the reporting guidelines for systematic reviews, such as the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) statement.

6 Update and disseminate your review

The final step is to update and disseminate your review. You should monitor the literature for any new or relevant studies that may affect your results and update your review accordingly. You should also disseminate your review to the relevant audiences, such as researchers, practitioners, policymakers, or students. You can use various formats and channels to communicate your review, such as journals, conferences, blogs, podcasts, or social media. You should also consider registering your review protocol in a database, such as PROSPERO (International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews), to increase its transparency and credibility.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?