A literature search for a systematic review is notably more rigorous and structured than for other types of research projects to ensure that all relevant studies are identified for inclusion in the analysis. Key considerations and reporting requirements are explained below.
However, the principles of literature searching set out in this Toolkit's literature searching guide remain the same. For training, visit the Education & Training page to register for a literature searching webinar or access recordings in LATTE.
The searching process in a systematic review is the systematic and comprehensive identification of all relevant studies related to the review question. It involves developing and running structured search strategies across multiple databases and sources to ensure the evidence base is complete, unbiased, and reproducible.
Why is it important to conduct the search thoroughly?
How do I conduct a systematic search?
A brief step by step is below, with further details outlined in this guide:
Recommended resources:
Documenting your search in a systematic review means recording all details of how the literature search was designed, conducted, and managed to ensure transparency and reproducibility. According to the PRISMA guidelines, this includes reporting the databases searched, full search strategies, dates of searches, applied limits or filters, and the number of records identified and screened.
This documentation allows others to verify, replicate, and update the review’s search process.
Why is it important to document your search?
How do I document my search?
Recommended resources:
Rerun a search
Rerunning your search in a systematic review means updating the original literature search at a later date to identify any newly published or indexed studies since the initial search was completed. This ensures that the review remains current, comprehensive, and reflective of the latest evidence, as recommended by the PRISMA 2020 guidelines and best practice standards for evidence synthesis.
Why is it important to rerun your search?
When should you rerun your search?
How do you rerun a search?
The below table includes search strings you can add to your existing search to limit it to a particular date range.
Note: If it has been longer than 12 months consider re-checking your subject headings as they may have been updated or new subject headings added. MeSH is updated annually.
Database | Line command | Example |
---|---|---|
MEDLINE (Ovid) |
limit x to dt=YYYYMMDD-YYYYMMDD
|
limit 12 to dt=20230101-20240422 Limits line 12 to between 1st Jan 2023 to 22nd April 2024 |
Embase and Emcare (Ovid) |
limit x to dc=YYYYMMDD-YYYYMMDD
|
limit 12 to dc=20230101-20240422 Limits line 12 to between 1st Jan 2023 to 22nd April 2024 |
PsycINFO (Ovid) |
limit x to up=YYYYMMDD-YYYYMMDD
|
limit 12 to up=20230101-20240422 Limits line 12 to between 1st Jan 2023 to 22nd April 2024 |
CINAHL* |
EM YYYYMMDD- EM YYYYMMDD-YYYYMMDD
|
EM 20230101-20240422 Limits results to between 1st Jan 2023 to 22nd April 2024 |
Scopus* |
ORIG-LOAD-DATE AFT YYYYMMDD
|
AND ORIG-LOAD-DATE AFT 20230101 Limits search results to records added after 1st Jan 2023 |
* Not accessible via Monash Health. May be accessible via a university affiliation
Adapted from source: University of SA Library- https://guides.library.unisa.edu.au/SystematicReviews/UpdateASearch