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Systematic Review: Home

Revised content order 2022

About systematic reviews 

A systematic review is a type of literature review that demonstrates your awareness of existing primary research in your field. It is sometimes referred to as secondary research as it is research conducted on research.

Using this guide

Our guide is designed to help you:

  • Understand the purpose of systematic reviews
  • Follow a clear process to create your systematic review
  • Adhere to relevant standards, guidelines or manuals
  • Search for existing reviews
  • Develop a research question and key concepts
  • Select databases and grey literature sources

Get help 

Get help from a librarian when you need support beyond what you can find in this guide. 15-minute bookings are available for students, educators, and researchers.

1 hour consultations are available to HDR students and Researchers only. For medical/biomedical systematic-style reviews, see Request a consultation for details on the review support service.

Other useful resources

  • SR Toolbox -  an online catalogue of guidance and tools that support various processes of systematic reviews or evidence syntheses. The toolbox is developed and maintained by York Health Economics Consortium, University of York.