Systematic literature reviews

Systematic literature review is also called:

• scoping review
• narrative review
• mapping review

Systematic literature reviews have predefined criteria, they follow a given method, and provide comprehensive documentation of the process.

You can read more about systematic literature reviews, including different types and recognized methods, at the University Library at the University of Oslo (uio.no).

In a systematic literature review, a systematic literature search will be the main method of data collection.

The literature search

A systematic literature search will consist of the following steps:

1. Structure the research question by dividing the question into different elements. Information about searching (pdhontrack.net).
2. Choose databases/sources (oslomet.no).

3. Develop search strategies – find relevant search terms for the different elements in the research question. About systematic searches (phdontrack.net).

4. Evaluate the results and, if necessary, refine the search strategies: If the search returns too many irrelevant results and/or leaves out relevant references, the search strategy should be reconsidered.

5. Import references to a reference management tool (for example EndNote (oslomet.no)). Remove duplicates.

6. Document and report the search – choices made during the search process should be stated. The search must be described in the paper's method chapter.

If you want to learn more about literature search: Online resource on systematic literature searches from the University Library NTNU in Gjøvik (systemlit.wordpress.com. In Norwegian).