Writing a systematic review paper

Systematic reviews are a cornerstone of evidence-based practice, helping synthesise complex research into actionable insights.

Whether you are new to systematic reviews or looking to refine your approach, this guide will walk you through the essential steps of reporting and writing a systematic review.

Preparing for your systematic review

Before starting your review, ensure the following:

• Have more than one author or researcher involved.
• Check if a systematic review on the same topic has already been published.
• Search more than two databases for comprehensive results.
• Register your systematic review to maintain transparency.
• Follow the PRISMA guidelines for conducting and reporting the review.

Understanding PRISMA Guidelines

The PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guideline provides a checklist to ensure transparent and complete reporting. It includes sections on:

• Title and Abstract: Clearly state the objective and key findings.
• Introduction: Define the rationale and objectives.
• Methods: Outline eligibility criteria, information sources, and search strategy.
• Study Selection and Data Collection: Describe how studies were selected and data extracted.
• Results and Discussion: Summarize findings, analyse data, and discuss implications.

Structuring your systematic review paper

A well-structured systematic review should provide an answer to the research question rather than just summarising current trends.

Your paper should be systematic, rigorous, and transparent.

1. Abstract

The abstract provides an overview of the review, including:

• Background information
• Research aim or hypothesis
• Summary of methods
• Key results
• Conclusion

2. Introduction

The introduction should:

• Provide background information
• Define key terms and concepts
• State the rationale for the review
• Outline aims and objectives
• Present the research questions

3. Methodology

This section describes how the literature search was conducted, including:

• Search strategy: Databases searched, keywords used, and manual searches conducted.
• Inclusion and exclusion criteria: Define what studies were included and excluded.
• Study selection: Describe the process of screening and selecting articles.

4. Results

The results section presents findings from the systematic review:

• The number of studies screened, assessed for eligibility and included
• Overview of study types and characteristics
• Risk of bias assessment
• Summary of individual study findings, including correlations and effects

5. Discussion

The discussion section should:

• Summarise main findings
• Interpret results in context with previous literature
• Address the research question and confirm or refute the hypothesis
• Highlight limitations of the review
• Discuss broader implications

6. Conclusion

The conclusion summarises the research findings, emphasises their significance, acknowledges limitations, and offers recommendations for future studies.

Choosing a Journal for Publication

When deciding where to publish your systematic review, consider the following:

• Look at similar published articles.
• Identify relevant journals in your field.
• Check journal reputation and impact factor.
• Review submission guidelines.
• Avoid predatory publishers.
• Consider open-access options.
• Understand your author rights.
• Have a backup plan for submissions.
• Stay persistent and committed.

Writing a systematic review is a meticulous process requiring attention to detail and a structured approach. By following the PRISMA guidelines and systematically reporting your findings, you ensure that your review is transparent, reproducible, and impactful.

Good luck with your systematic review journey!