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Systematic Reviewing Scientific Literature Seminar Workbook

1 Introduction

1.1 Module Details

This module aims to develop student’s knowledge and understanding of the systematic reviewing of academic literature. This includes developing an appropriate search string, screening process, study eligibility criteria, data extraction form/table, quality appraisal tool and other methodological features associated with the systematic reviewing process. This process minimises potential reviewer biases and increases the methodological rigor. Using these skills students will be able to offer a better synthesis of the literature and enable them to make more confident conclusions.

1.2 Learning Outcomes

The learning outcomes for this module are:

  • demonstrate knowledge and understanding in the systematic retrieval of academic literature on a topic within the field of sports therapy/sports and exercise
  • apply the underlying concepts and principles associated with the systematic extraction of information from the academic literature on a topic within the field of sports therapy/sport and exercise
  • evaluate critically the information obtained from the academic literature on a topic within the field of sports therapy/sports and exercise

1.3 Assessments

The learning outcomes for this module will be assessed with a 3500 word coursework. During the seminars you will be individually planning and conducting a systematic review of the literature. You will be required to write up the findings of this systematic review in accordance with good reporting practices.

  1. You will need to formulate a search strategy using the 12 step approach and include your peer review of electronic search strategies (PRESS) as an appendix
  2. You will need to establish a clear set of eligibility (inclusion/exclusion) criteria in order to perform 1) title and abstract screening, 2) full text screening
  3. You will need to extract the relevant information from the included articles into a ‘characteristics of studies’ table, which should be included as an appendix to your systematic review submission.
  4. You will need to perform a risk of bias/quality appraisal of included articles, each study appraisal should be included as an appendix to your systematic review submission
  5. Using the ‘characteristics of studies’ table and summary risk of bias, formulate a discussion which gives the reader an overview of the findings from your systematic review.