Systematic reviews use explicit and rigorous methods
Below is a list of the various stages that a systematic review would usually go through. Click on the relevant part to take you to some further information regarding this stage of the review. Elsewhere on our site we describe more on what a systematic review is and why it is important to be systematic.
Approaches to reviewing
User involvement
Different types of review
Methodological and other challenges
Getting started
Review team and advisory group
Setting the scope and methods for the review
Administrative systems
Assuring quality in systematic reviews
Gathering and describing research
Searching for studies
Screening studies
Describing studies
Mapping and refining scope
Appraising and synthesising the data
Quality and relevance appraisal
Synthesising study findings
Conclusions/recommendations
Developing the final report
Making use of the review
Communication
Interpretation and application
Updating the review
These pages should be cited as: EPPI-Centre (March 2007) EPPI-Centre methods for conducting systematic reviews. London: EPPI-Centre, Social Science Research Unit, Institute of Education, University of London.
EPPI-Centre methods references