School of Medicine

The Pulse

Library Launching Updated Systematic Review Service

Sharon Duffy, MLIS, Research Services Librarian, LSUHSC-New Orleans Library

The LSUHSC Library is pleased to announce the launching of an updated Systematic Review Service to assist researchers with planning and executing a systematic, scoping, narrative, or other literature review. The librarians on our systematic review team have earned Systematic Review Service Specialization certifications through the Medical Library Association (MLA) and are well-equipped to provide their expert searching and guidance to these projects.

Research shows that inclusion of librarians in systematic reviews leads to higher quality reported search strategies which results in more comprehensive and reproducible reviews. Also, including a librarian on a review team is recommended by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, JBI, and Cochrane.

Here are a few highlights of this new service:

  • Available to all LSUHSC–New Orleans faculty, staff, and students at no cost
  • Access to the systematic review software, Covidence, to improve the efficiency and quality of all phases of the review process
  • Two tiers of service are available:
    • Tier 1: Expert Consultant – This level includes advice and development of a PubMed search strategy, advice and training on citation management tools, and guidance on following systematic review standards such as PRISMA. At this level, the librarian will be acknowledged by name in the manuscript.
    • Tier 2: Co-Author – This level expands upon the Tier 1 services to include search strategies for multiple databases, writing the methods section for the literature search for the manuscript, assistance with protocol registration, and more. At this level, the librarian will be included as a co-author on the project.
  • Online form to start the process of partnering with our librarians for your project
  • Updated LibGuide to provide additional information about the Systematic Review process

Please reach out to our librarians with any questions about this updated and exciting service!