Guide to Performing a Comprehensive Literature Review in Six Steps: A Step-by-Step Approach to Systematically Reviewing Research Data
A systematic literature review (SLR) is a structured and methodical approach to reviewing and synthesizing evidence from existing research on a specific topic. By relying on a systematic process, the review is evidence-based, drawing conclusions from the best available data.
Define a clear research question
The first step in conducting an SLR is to formulate a focused, answerable question. This question is often framed using frameworks like PICO (Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome) to specify the scope of the review.
Develop a detailed protocol
Next, prepare a written protocol outlining the research question, search strategy, inclusion/exclusion criteria, screening methods, data extraction, quality appraisal, and synthesis plan. Registering the protocol enhances transparency and rigor.
Design a comprehensive search strategy
Work with a librarian to identify relevant databases (at least three), search terms, and whether to include grey literature. This step includes pilot testing and refining the search strategy.
Conduct systematic searching
Execute the search across selected sources using predefined strategies and record all search results systematically for reproducibility.
Screen studies for eligibility
Use the inclusion and exclusion criteria to screen titles and abstracts first, then full texts. Screening is often done by at least two reviewers independently to reduce bias.
Extract data from included studies
Collect relevant information from the final selected studies in a standardized way.
Assess study quality and risk of bias
Evaluate the validity and reliability of each included study, often using established tools or checklists.
Synthesize and analyze results
Combine findings from the studies qualitatively or quantitatively (meta-analysis), depending on data and review goals. Analysis must be systematic and transparent.
Report the findings
Prepare a detailed report including methods, results, limitations, and conclusions. Essential components include a PRISMA flow diagram showing the study selection process, and evidence tables summarizing key data.
Keep the review up-to-date
Once published, systematic reviews should be periodically updated with new evidence to maintain relevance.
The typical timeline for this process is around 12 months, with the search for studies taking between 3 to 8 months, and the analysis and report preparation taking between 1 to 11 months.
This process is time-intensive and often requires a team to minimize bias, although smaller versions can be conducted by individuals for dissertations. Using tools like citation managers and software for PRISMA diagrams can facilitate the process.
In summary, a systematic literature review is a rigorous, transparent, and reproducible method of synthesizing all relevant evidence to answer a specific research question by following a defined protocol, comprehensive search, critical appraisal, and structured reporting. The process minimizes bias by following a clear, predefined protocol and search strategies.
- In the context of education-and-self-development, a learner could enhance their understanding by engaging in an online-education course that focuses on literature review writing.
- To conduct a comprehensive literature review on a specific topic, it is crucial to follow a systematic process, which involves designing a detailed protocol, developing a search strategy, and executing a systematic search for relevant studies.
