An Introduction to Systematic Reviews for Health Sciences Librarians

This course will provide an introduction to systematic reviews and other evidence synthesis types for librarians new to the process, with a focus on the librarian’s role on systematic review teams. Topics include: defining a systematic review and comparing it to other evidence synthesis types, assisting teams with topic development and protocol registration, taking the proper steps to conduct and document a search, use of screening tools, recommending resources for data extraction and critical appraisal, reporting a search following the PRISMA-S checklist, how to determine co-authorship, and special considerations for artificial intelligence and automation in systematic reviews. Attendees will have the opportunity to practice what they learn with hands-on activities and group discussion. A copy of the presentation slides, a blank search log template, and a list of resources included in the presentation will be available to attendees after the CE course.

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Learning Objectives:

• Define a systematic review and explain how it differs from other review types.
• Identify key characteristics of and standards for high-quality reviews.
• Describe the librarian’s role on a systematic review team.
• Outline the process of selecting databases and developing search strategies.
• Identify key tools and approaches used at each stage of the review.

Agenda

Introduction to Evidence Synthesis (10 minutes)

• Define evidence synthesis. Compare systematic reviews to other types of evidence synthesis.
• Describe the librarian’s role in evidence synthesis projects.
• Evaluate potential review topics and match them to review types. Determine whether a systematic review is the most appropriate type of review.
• Exercise: Match review topic to review type (as a group)

Getting Started: Topic and Protocol (10 minutes)

• Explain the importance of conducting a preliminary search.
• List and define PICO and at least two other question frameworks.
• Describe what a protocol is and locate protocol registries

Searching (40 minutes)

• Select search terms from ideal articles (3-5) provided by the team, if available
• Create and label search log spreadsheet
• Choose databases and other information sources
• Combine keywords and controlled vocabulary
• Revise and translate search – check database / vendor documentation
• Exercise: add to and revise a search in PubMed in small groups, compare as a class

Screening, Data Extraction, ROB (10 minutes)

• Explain what tasks screening tools such as Covidence and Rayyan can be used to perform and state where they sit in the review process.
• Describe the two steps of screening librarians typically assist with: title/abstract export & import and full-text discovery
• Recommend resources for screening, data extraction, and ROB

Writing & Publishing (10 minutes)

• Match the librarian’s role with the ICJME recommendations for co-authorship
• Apply the PRISMA-S (search) extension to describe the search in the methods section of a manuscript
• Exercise: select the level of involvement that would justify a librarian co-authorship (as a group)

AI and Automation (10 minutes)

• Differentiate among AI, generative AI, and automation
• Identify and explain some common ethical issues with generative AI: privacy, environmental costs, and cognitive debt
• Name the two steps that must be taken if deciding to use generative AI: information verification and use disclosure
• Identify and explain specific considerations for evidence synthesis: reproducibility, bias, and validation

MLA CE Credits: 1.5