Search strategies for Systematic and Scoping Reviews

Content: Systematic reviews, scoping reviews and meta-analyses aim to provide a complete and unbiased synthesis of available evidence on a specific topic. A good quality search strategy is essential to ensure all available evidence is found. Strict guidelines for literature search strategies are laid out in the PRISMA Statements, Cochrane Handbook, JBI Reviewer’s Handbook and the PRESS guideline.

During this workshop we will discuss the requirements a search strategy for a systematic or scoping review should meet and how you can develop a good quality search strategy for your review.

Note that this workshop will be (bio)medically focused. Please contact us to discuss options if your research falls in another field.

Learning objectives: After this workshop you should be able to develop a search strategy which meets international standards for systematic or scoping reviews. This includes selecting appropriate databases for your topic, using controlled vocabulary (e.g. MeSH terms), efficient and effective methods to optimize your search terms, and documenting and reporting your search strategy.

Target audience: PhD and master students or researchers planning on conducting a systematic or scoping review. Please make sure to sign up using your UM/MUMC+/OU email-address.

Language: English

Course format: Presentation via Zoom (after registration, you will receive a link for the session), demo, hands-on exercises and Q&A.

Time: 2 hours

Prerequisites: Complete the Scientific Literature Reviews and Advanced Literature Search modules.

More information: courses-ub@maastrichtuniversity.nl