University of Newcastle Library guides
A systematic review is a summary of the medical literature that uses explicit methods to perform a comprehensive literature search and critical appraisal of individual studies and that uses appropriate statistical techniques to combine these valid studies. (CEBM)
Key characteristics of a systematic review are:
Meta analysis is a systematic review that uses quantitative methods to synthesize and summarize the results.
| Systematic review | Literature review | |
| Question | Focused on a single question | Not necessarily focused on a single question, but may describe an overview |
| Protocol | A peer review protocol or plan is included | No protocol is included |
| Background | Both provide summaries of the available literature on a topic | |
| Objectives | Clear objectives are identified | Objectives may or may not be identified |
| Inclusion and exclusion criteria | Criteria stated before the review is conducted | Criteria may not be specified |
| Search strategy | Comprehensive search conducted in a systematic way | Strategy may not be explicitly stated |
| Process of selecting articles | Usually clear and explicit | Not described in a literature review |
| Process of evaluating articles | Comprehensive evaluation of study quality | Evaluation of study quality may or may not be included |
| Process of extracting relevant information | Usually clear and specific | Not clear or explicit |
| Results and data synthesis | Clear summaries of studies based on high quality evidence | Summary based on studies where the quality of the articles may not be expected. May also be influenced by the reviewer's theories, needs and beliefs |
| Discussion | Written by an expert or group of experts with a detailed and well grounded knowledge of the issues | |
Library staff are available to consult with researchers, research groups and RHD students, as well as run workshops to:
Debbie Booth
Senior Research Librarian, Health and Medicine, Psychology
Room L307, Auchmuty Library
Phone: 02 492 15844
Email: debbie.booth@newcastle.edu.au
Ruth Talbot-Stokes
Senior Research Librarian, Education and the Arts
Room L318, Auchmuty Library
Phone: 02 492 18881
Email: ruth.talbot-stokes@newcastle.edu.au