Searching for Systematic Reviews

Course Description

"Searching for Systematic Reviews" is an innovative and comprehensive course offered by the National University of Singapore (NUS) that goes beyond the traditional scope of systematic review searching. This course is designed to equip researchers with advanced searching methods applicable to a wide range of disciplines, including social science, environmental science, policy studies, sciences, and health sciences. The course takes you on a journey from the initial stages of concept modelling to the final steps of managing search results, providing you with a holistic understanding of the systematic review process.

What Students Will Learn

• Develop a focused research question using frameworks like PICO
• Select appropriate resources for searching relevant work
• Construct comprehensive search strategies
• Document the search process and manage results effectively
• Understand the importance of searching in systematic reviews
• Learn about different types of reviews and their processes
• Assess the feasibility and scope of research topics
• Gain knowledge about various evidence types and information sources
• Master practical tips for conducting and replicating systematic review searches
• Utilize EndNote for managing and documenting search results

Prerequisites

This course is designed as an introductory level program and does not have any specific prerequisites. However, a basic understanding of research methodologies and academic writing would be beneficial.

Course Coverage

• Importance of searching in systematic reviews
• Steps in the systematic review process
• Types of reviews
• Structure of a systematic review paper
• Question development frameworks (e.g., PICO)
• Evidence types and information sources
• Developing basic and comprehensive search strategies
• Database-specific search techniques
• Documenting the search process
• Managing search results using EndNote

Who This Course Is For

• Researchers across various disciplines looking to enhance their systematic review skills
• Graduate students embarking on literature reviews or systematic reviews
• Information professionals seeking to support researchers in conducting systematic reviews
• Anyone interested in improving their literature searching and research skills

Real-World Applications

1. Conducting thorough literature reviews for academic papers or grant proposals
2. Improving the quality and comprehensiveness of research projects
3. Enhancing evidence-based decision-making in professional settings
4. Supporting policy development with robust evidence synthesis
5. Advancing knowledge in various fields through systematic and reproducible research methods
6. Improving information literacy and critical evaluation of sources
7. Efficiently managing large amounts of research data and references