Systematic Reviews for Social Sciences

A systematic search to identify studies must be comprehensive and it must strike a balance between recall and precision. In other words, don't expect to retrieve only relevant articles.

Most studies used in the review will be identified using electronic databases (e.g., Social Sciences Full-Text, PsycInfo, ERIC, etc.). Librarians can also help to identify sources for finding grey literature.

Expect a large number of results. Depending on the scope of your topic, your search may result in as few as a couple hundred or as many as several thousand articles.

Some key steps in searching for studies include:

• Identifying databases to be searched.
• Identifying search terminology.
• Constructing and running database searches.
• Conducting hand searches of specialized journals.
• Searching reference lists of relevant studies.
• Contacting recognized experts working in the field.
• Searching relevant grey literature sources (e.g., conference proceedings, government reports, dissertations, etc.).

Librarians at the USF Libraries are expert searchers who can support faculty investigators in conducting comprehensive literature searches for systematic reviews, assist with reference management, and writing the search methodology section of the review (more on librarian involvement).  Consider meeting with a librarian to discuss your systematic review project (request a consultation).