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Systematic searching

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A systematic search forms the foundation of systematic knowledge overviews and requieres knowledge and advanced skills in structured searching. NTNU University Library's search specialists offer support to researchers, PhD candidates and clinicians at NTNU and St. Olav involved in projects that aim to carry out and publish systematic knowledge reviews. For general help with searching, see the wiki on search and find literature as well as advanced literature search.

Norwegian version - Systematiske søk

Systematic reviews

Systematic reviews (systematic reviews, scoping reviews etc.) are based on a systematic and documented review of all relevant literature within a defined area or topic. If you want to know more about systematic reviews, we recommend that you take a look at the web resource Phd on Track.

What is a systematic search?

A systematic search is characterized by an extensive structured search where the information gathering is planned, justified, documented and verifiable. In order to ensure that as much as possible of the relevant literature within an area has been identified, a structured search is used in several different subject databases with extensive use of relevant controlled vocabulary and free text terms. A systematic search therefore differs significantly from a Google search, where you try different words until you find something relevant.

In addition to planning, a systematic search requires thorough documentation, so that the search can be repeated and the results verified. Development, implementation and documentation of a systematic search is time-consuming and requires advanced knowledge and considerable skills within structured searching.

How to do a systematic search?

To carry out a systematic search, you need to have a basic understanding of the principles of structured searching, use of controlled vocabulary and free text terms, familiarity with relevant databases, as well as knowledge of how these work. Have a look at examples of structured searches from different disciplines.

You should also have a plan for handling the references identified in the various databases. If you need an introduction to literature searching, or a refresher, it is recommended that you attend one of the library's open courses in literature searching, or that you complete our online course in systematic searching (in Norwegian only).

Who can get support for systematic searches?

All researchers, PhD candidates and clinicians at NTNU or St. Olav, with a project that aims to carry out and publish a systematic overview of knowledge, can receive support from the search specialists at NTNU University Library.

If desired, one of our search specialists can collaborate actively in projects with systematic knowledge overviews, by taking responsibility for the development and implementation of the systematic search. However, this is both a time-consuming and central part of systematic knowledge overviews and requires crediting of the contribution through co-authorship in a publication. Due to limited capacity, there may be some waiting time and it is therefore advisable to get in touch at an early stage.

Master's students who are to carry out a systematic knowledge review do not normally have access to corresponding services, due to limited capacity. After further agreement, and depending on available capacity, one of the University Library's search specialists can contribute as a co-supervisor in master's projects with a concrete plan for publishing a systematic review.

What can the library's search specialists offer?

General help and guidance

  • Help to formulate the problem
  • Tips for mapping relevant controlled vocabulary and free text terms related to the topic (for example using a PICO-form).
  • Recommendation of relevantdatabases that are relevant to the problem.
  • Tips for developing a search strategy and adaptation to relevant databases.
  • Tips related to reference management, protocol and documentation.
  • Tips on relevant tools for screening references (Rayyan, PICO portal, etc.)

By agreement on project collaboration

The search specialist contributes:

  • Protocol development.
  • Map relevant search terms and develop a search strategy.
  • Carry out searches in agreed databases.
  • Deliver search results in the form of an overall duplicate-free reference library.
  • Update search if necessary.
  • Draft a description of the literature search, as well as documentation of search strategies, for the method chapter in the publication.
  • Possibly contribute in other ways to the project by further agreement.

You contribute with:

  • A limited topic in the form of a concise and clearly formulated question.
  • Familiarize yourself with the basic methodology for systematic reviews.
  • Start-up meeting and ongoing communication between you and the search specialist throughout the process.
  • Relevant keywords and sources that can be used, limitations and references.
  • Limitations or inclusion criteria in the search.
  • This can be specific study designs that are relevant, time period, language, document type, peer-reviewed articles, conference reports, etc.
  • Tracking articles: relevant articles that should appear in the hit list to check the quality of the search.

 

Examples of scientific articles with contributions from the library

  • Aukan, M. I., Coutinho, S., Pedersen, S. A., Simpson, M. R., & Martins, C. (2023). Differences in gastrointestinal hormones and appetite ratings between individuals with and without obesity—A systematic review and meta‐analysis. Obesity Reviews, 24(2). https://doi.org/10.1111/obr.13531
  • Balaj, M., York, H. W., Sripada, K., Besnier, E., Vonen, H. D., Aravkin, A. Y., Friedman, J., Griswold, M., Jensen, M. R., Mohammad, T., Mullany, E. C., Solhaug, S., Sorensen, R., Stonkute, D., Tallaksen, A., Whisnant, J., Zheng, P., Gakidou, E. & Eikemo, T. A. (2021). Parental education and inequalities in child mortality: a global systematic review and meta-analysis. The Lancet, 398(10300), 608-620. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(21)00534-1
  • Beck, K. C., Balaj, M., Donadello, L., Mohammad, T., Vonen, H. D., Degail, C., ... & Eikemo, T. A. (2022). Educational inequalities in adult mortality: a systematic review and meta-analysis of the Asia Pacific region. BMJ open, 12(8), e059042.
  • Bjørnerås, A. B., Witsø, A. E., Kvam, L., Eide, A. H., Jahren, L., & Horghagen, S. (2022). Identifying Key Concepts in Ambassador Interventions for Students with Disabilities in Higher Education: A Scoping Review. International Journal of Disability, Development and Education, 1-17. https://doi.org/10.1080/1034912X.2022.2095558
  • Falch-Madsen, J., Wichstrøm, L., Pallesen, S., Jensen, M. R., Bertheussen, L., Solhaug, S., & Steinsbekk, S. (2021). Predictors of diagnostically defined insomnia in child and adolescent community samples: A literature review. Sleep Medicine, 87, 241-249. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sleep.2021.09.003
  • Holgersen, K. H., Pedersen, S. A., Brattland, H., & Hynnekleiv, T. (2022). A scoping review of studies into crisis resolution teams in community mental health services. Nordic Journal of Psychiatry, 76(8), 565-574. https://doi.org/10.1080/08039488.2022.2029941
  • Kaasbøll, J., Pedersen, S. A., & Paulsen, V. (2022). What is known about the LGBTQ perspective in child welfare services: A scoping review. Child & Family Social Work, 27(2), 358-369. https://doi.org/10.1111/cfs.12894
  • Raman, J., Spirou, D., Jahren, L., & Eik-Nes, T. T. (2020). The clinical obesity maintenance model: A theoretical framework for bariatric psychology. Frontiers in endocrinology, 11, 563. https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2020.00563
  • Tingö, L., Ahlberg, E., Johansson, L., Pedersen, S. A., Chawla, K., Sætrom, P., ... & Simpson, M. R. (2021). Non-Coding RNAs in human breast milk: A systematic review. Frontiers in immunology, 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2021.725323
  • Weiss, D., Rydland, H. T., Øversveen, E., Jensen, M. R., Solhaug, S., & Krokstad, S. (2018). Innovative technologies and social inequalities in health: a scoping review of the literature. PloS one, 13(4). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0195447
  • Ystgaard, K. F., Atzori, L., Palma, D., Heegaard, P. E., Bertheussen, L. E., Jensen, M. R., & De Moor, K. (2023). Review of the theory, principles, and design requirements of human-centric Internet of Things (IoT). Journal of Ambient Intelligence and Humanized Computing, 1-33. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12652-023-04539-3

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