Research guides: Pharmacy : Types of Review Articles (Literature, Scoping and Systematic)

Their Uniqueness, Characteristics and Differences

Types of Review Articles

The above slides explore:

The purpose of each type of review article
Their methodology
Practical examples for each article type

Systematic Reviews, Scoping Reviews, and other Knowledge Syntheses (McGill University)
Learn about the different types of knowledge syntheses and how to conduct them.
Knowledge syntheses: Systematic & Scoping Reviews, and other review types (University of Toronto)
Useful information and resources on the process of conducting various types of reviews or knowledge syntheses.
Review Types (Temple University)
Outlines other types of reviews like rapid reviews, mixed methods reviews, overview of reviews, etc. For each review, includes: definition, process, timeframe, limitations, + links to useful resources for conducting the review.
Review Comparison Chart (Unity Health Toronto/St. Michael's Health Sciences Library)
Compares the key elements of major knowledge synthesis methodologies in an infographic.
Knowledge Synthesis Decision Tool (Unity Health Toronto/St. Michael's Health Sciences Library)
This tool assists in making a decision about what type of review is right for you based on your research question(s) and the required parameters of each type of review. It is meant to be used with the comparison chart.

Systematic Review Management Software

Covidence - a systematic review software tool
Web-based software to support systematic screening and data abstraction for systematic and scoping reviews. Free for Waterloo students, faculty and researchers.
Distiller
Subscription-based, but student pricing available.
Rayyan
A free web-tool designed to manage the stages of systematic reviews and other knowledge synthesis projects.

What is the Project's Goal?

Always ask yourself:

Do I want to systematically/comprehensively search the literature?
Or, do I want to conduct a systematic review?

Conducting a comprehensive search of the literature involves very different methods than a systematic review. If you are unsure as to which project best meets your needs, consult the Pharmacy Liaison Librarian, Caitlin Carter at c8carter@uwaterloo.ca

Avoid duplication: register your scoping or systematic review protocol (plan)

Where to prospectively register a systematic review?
A short article describing the differences between the various available registration options.
PROSPERO
Protocol registry for systematic reviews. Does not accept scoping reviews or literature reviews. Research topic must be health or social care related.
Joanna Briggs Institute Registry
Register scoping and systematic reviews (must be JBI-affiliated).
Research Registry
Register reviews, randomized controlled trials, case reports, cohort studies, etc.
Center for Open Science
Register any research type.
Protocols.io
Register any research type.
Nature's Protocol Exchange
Protocols from all areas of the natural sciences.

Scoping Reviews

Library Support for Systematic Reviews

UW Library Systematic Review Support
Overview of the types of UW Library support for systematic/scoping review projects.

UW Library Systematic Review Protocol
Use the "UW Library Systematic Review Protocol" to identify the various aspects of your systematic review (SR) project. This protocol will help minimize the likelihood of bias throughout the SR process, which is vital to a SR.