Medicine: Systematic Literature Reviews - A 'How To' Guide (for University and NHS)

Before undertaking any piece of primary research it’s important to be aware of as much of the existing literature as possible. A systematic literature review can also be a research end in itself. And it’s not something to be taken lightly. But how can you be sure you’re being as rigorous as necessary? How can you manage the references you find, document the process, and also know when to stop searching?

This session assumes attendees have already had prior introductory training in literature searching. It is a prerequisite that you have attended either Introduction to Literature Searching (if you are a University of Cambridge staff member or student) or Getting the Best Results - Improving Your Database Searching (if you are an NHS staff member). Exceptions will be made if you received similar training from another department or university - please contact us if you have any questions about prerequisites.

UPDATE: Please note that this session is taking place remotely, not in the Medical Library as previously advertised. Please do not go to the Medical Library training room. You will be contacted by the training team with information about how to join the session remotely.

Please note: this session may be recorded. By signing up for the session, you register your consent for recording to take place. Please email librarytraining@medschl.cam.ac.uk if you have any questions about this.

• Postgraduates in Science, and Medicine in particular
• Researchers in Science, and Medicine in particular
• Further details regarding Cambridge University Library's eligibility criteria are available

Attendance at either Introduction to Literature Searching (if you are a University of Cambridge staff member or student) or Getting the Best Results - Improving Your Database Searching (if you are an NHS staff member).

This course will address:

• how to clarify the question (or perhaps questions) on which you need to find literature
• selecting the databases and other resources you will need to search
• devising the most comprehensive literature search strategy so you know you’ve not missed any relevant studies
• keeping up to date with new information appearing between the initial search and write-up
• issues around documentation of process and results
• management of references (using software such as EndNote), and getting hold of the full text article

Presentations, demonstrations and practicals

• The Medical Library is located on the Addenbrooke’s site

One session of two hours

A number of times per year