Conducting systematic and literature reviews – tools and support
Get step-by-step support and guidance in conducting a systematic, literature, or scoping review, as well as guideline development. The Library & ICT´s Research support team supports you throughout the entire process and in compliance with well-known methods of an international standard – from starting the project to publishing your review.
Our contribution to a well-conducted review
We can help and assist you with:
- identifying relevant search terms and optimal search strategies for your research question,
- conducting a systematic search in relevant databases for all types of literature reviews or clinical guidelines,
- various method standards, such as PRISMA, and
- finding relevant tools to enhance your working process.
Book a consultation or request a literature search
We help ensure a well-conducted systematic search in relevant databases using the accurate terminology. By consulting us, you save time and ensure a well-documented and reproducible literature search, based on international methods for systematic reviews (PRISMA, Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis statement).
If you are not conducting a systematic review, but need guidance in searching through the literature in general, or plan to start a review project in the future, feel free to book an individual consultation. The consultation and search request services are free of charge.
How to request a literature search
Book a consultation (web form)
Getting started with your review
If you plan to conduct a systematic review, we recommend that you first ensure that no similar projects are being researched already, that you register a protocol, and follow a methodology standard of reporting.
The first step is to search for already registered systematic reviews in PROSPERO (International prospective register of systematic reviews) to make sure that no similar projects are already being researched. This will increase the transparency of the publishing process and save you time. The next step is to register your own protocol in PROSPERO.
PROSPERO at UK National Institute for Health Research website
Cochrane Interactive Learning is a very useful online course for getting an overview of, and learning the essential steps in, conducting a review. You can, at your own pace, go through the different elements of a systematic review to get a sense of the working process. From writing a protocol, retrieving and selecting studies to use, to how to analyse data and assess risk for bias, to how the review is presented.
You need to register with your LU e-mail address before you can access the course modules.
Visit Cochrane Interactive Learning at Lund University portal LUBsearch.
Tools for working effectively with your review
Covidence can help you effectively conduct a systematic review, from selection of studies and quality assessment to the extraction of data. This tool is developed by Cochrane for the screening and selection step in systematic reviews. It can also be used for other reviews. You import your retrieved references and then work through them, screening and selecting them, in collaboration with your research team. Covidence is available free of charge for staff and students at Lund University.
- More on Covidence on the Lund University Libraries´ website
- A Practical Guide: Data Extraction for Intervention Systematic Reviews
This guide provides you with insights from the global systematic review community, including definitions, practical advice, links to the Cochrane Handbook, downloadable templates, and real-world examples. - Book an introduction to Covidence – Library & ICT Research support team (web form)
With RevMan Web (Review Manager), you can easily manage data, text, and other parts of your review, as well as perform advanced steps such as producing a meta-analysis or a summary of findings table. RevMan Web is developed by Cochrane and can be used for both systematic reviews and other literature reviews. You can find more information at Lund University Libraries website. User support is available by the organisation Cochrane Sweden.
NVivo can support your literature review workflow in conducting and documenting the analysis process.
Sign up for this course and learn more about working with NVivo!
NVivo for literature reviews: an introduction
Contact and Support
Library & ICT´s Research support team
Do you have questions or need help with your review? Contact us through Library & ICT´s contact form.
Request a literature search
Library & ICT Service Catalogue
Get an overview of the support services Library & ICT provides for faculty, staff, and students.