Systematic Review Support available from Library Staff 

MTU library staff provide introductory systematic review training and support for staff and research students.

If you require systematic review support, library staff offer ‘one to one’ training or a group session which highlights key aspects of the review process. (This session normally takes between 60 – 90 minutes). 

During this session, you will receive guidance on the following:

• Overview of the systematic review process
• The structure of the systematic review.
• The importance of carrying out a detailed literature search.
• Developing an efficient search strategy and Protocol using a suitable framework.
• Suggested databases for searching & appropriate instruction if required.
• Identifying other types of research material appropriate to the topic.
• Basic citation manager training, if required.
• Staying up to date with the research topic by setting up ‘search alerts’ in appropriate online databases.
• Reporting on the search methodology used throughout the review. 

What you need to do before meeting library staff 

1. Before the initial consultation with library staff, you should familiarize yourself with MTU’s Guide to the Systematic Review process, this user-friendly guide describes every step of the process. Reviewing this guide will also allow you to formulate questions that you might like addressed during the meeting with library staff.
2. You should also send library staff the proposed title and a brief description of your research topic one week before the meeting, this will allow us to review your research topic in advance and suggest appropriate databases and resources for your research.
3. It is also essential that you know what is expected of you when asked to carry out a review. You should discuss with your supervisor if you need to carry out a Literature Review, a Systematic Literature Review or a full Systematic Review. 

The differences between a Systematic Literature Review and a Systematic Review are as follows: 

The support that you can expect from library staff 

Due to the in-depth and time-intensive nature of the systematic review process and other work commitments, library staff will not be able to undertake a review on behalf of an individual or research group or work alongside them during the review process.

Library staff will offer advice on the development of a search strategy during the initial consultation; however, we will not be able to contribute to the development of this search strategy over the course of the entire review process.

Library staff will not be able to execute searches, de-duplicate lists of results or create a reference management database on behalf of the individual / research group. The individual or group involved in the review process will however receive initial guidance on the skills required to carry out these tasks.

Your research supervisor will be able to provide additional guidance on such matters as developing your study methodology (research protocol), evaluating findings, and writing the systematic review. 

Disclaimer:

• Systematic review training sessions will be provided on an appointment basis only.
• Requests for systematic review training sessions will be provided on a first-come, first served basis.
• These sessions can be arranged at any time throughout the year and are available by appointment.
• Bookings on MTU Cork campuses can be made by e-mailing library.infocork@mtu.ie
• Bookings on MTU Kerry campuses can be made by e-mailing kerrylibrary@mtu.ie