The document discusses the importance of evidence reviews in research and outlines the differences between various types of reviews, including systematic and scoping reviews. It highlights key sources for finding existing reviews, with an emphasis on the Cochrane Library and the limitations of current databases. Additionally, it mentions support available from information specialists for research proposals and training in search methodologies.

1. Louise Preston and Mark Clowes
Information Resources Group
Have we got reviews for you?

2. Today…
 Why might you want to look for evidence
reviews?
 What is a scoping search?
 Key sources for finding reviews
 Specific sources
 More general sources
 Support available from Information Resources

3. Why might you want to look for
evidence reviews?
 I’ve got a great idea for a primary research study
– I want to know what has already been done in
that area
 I’d like to do a systematic review and I want to
know if it has been done before
 I’ve got a rough idea for some research and I’d
like to know how to structure my research
question

4. What do we mean by a review?
 There are all sorts of reviews out there (Grant &
Booth 2009)
 Quantitative versus qualitative
 Systematic review – gold standard in clinical
topics, adhering to a predefined protocol etc.
 Many other types of review – different types are
more appropriate for different topics
 Scoping not systematic (although it is possible to
conduct specific, systematic searches for
reviews)
 Databases that contain (systematic) reviews
 Other sources of evidence

5. Key sources for finding existing
reviews

6. The Cochrane Library

13. Searching other sources to identify
reviews
 Not (yet) a replacement for traditional databases
 Lack of transparency re: sources covered
 Results vary according to your profile
 Can be useful for quick scoping searches

15. If you only search one database…

18. Support available from Information
Resources
 The Information Specialists in IR can…
 Work with you on bids for funding
 Primary research – to support your bid
 Evidence synthesis – as part of the research team
 Work with you on small research projects
 Give one to one training on searching
 Give advice/second opinion on your searches
 Email Anthea Sutton, Information Resources
Group Manager a.sutton@shef.ac.uk or call into
the ScHARR Library Enquiry Desk from 10-3.

19. Any questions?
Grant, M & Booth, A. 2009. A typology of reviews:
an analysis of 14 review types and associated
methodologies. Health Information & Libraries
Journal 26 (2), pp. 91-108