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Searching for Systematic Reviews & Evidence Synthesis: Library Workshops, Drop ins and 1-2-1s

This guide brings together information and guidance on effective searching for journal articles and grey literature for those undertaking a systematic review, scoping review or other evidence synthesis

KEATS modules

We have created a comprehensive e-learning pathway to support you to develop the advanced searching skills for systematic reviews. To find the course, click the link to KLaSS below and look for Finding Academic Material for Advanced Health Topics. This e-learning module also describes how to book onto our 2 hour webinar LIB261 Search Techniques for Systematic Reviewers.

Online Forum

Photo of group discussion

We encourage you to use the guidance in this library guide and the online e-learning on KEATS, as well as potentially attending one of the workshops (currently run as webinars) available to book from this Library Guide. 

If you have specific questions regarding your systematic review, such as whether you have selected the right databases or used the right search terms in your search strategy, please visit our Online Forum in KLaSS, on KEATS. The Forum can offer support and guidance in developing your search strategy, accessed through the link below:

When using the Searching for Systematic Review Forum for more in-depth enquiries, it is helpful for you to provide us with:

  • Your current research topic or focused question
  • Any search terms or keywords you are currently using
  • Examples of databases you have searched
  • Examples of research papers you would expect to see when using these search terms
  • Screen grabs of your database search or a Word document with the search strategy detailed line by line (see appendices of existing systematic reviews)

Workshops

Courses on literature review searching and on advanced search techniques for systematic reviews run regularly through the year and can be booked via this Library Guide.

Training for KCL staff and students

  • Introductory Literature Review Workshop for Health & Clinical Sciences (LIB229) 
  • Introduction to Advanced Database Searching for Health & Life Sciences (LIB260)
  • Advanced search techniques for systematic reviews (LIB261)
    • Please note LIB261 is taught as a flipped classroom (pre-learning required before the session), so either e-learning and a quiz will need to be completed before the booking form is made available on KEATS or you will need to have attended the 'Introduction to Advanced Database Searching for Health & Life Sciences (LIB260)' see above.
  • LIB262: Advanced Searching for Systematic Reviews. 6 week online course for taught and research postgraduate students. [Currently on hold].

Training for NHS staff 

Assistance on the basics of searching techniques is currently available to all students and staff via email or Live Chat as well as workshops. We also hold 1-1 appointments and an online Forum where you can go for support from a librarian on these topics. Links to book are on this page.

Critical Appraisal and External Training

Assessing and appraising the quality of each study or report that you are considering for inclusion in your review is an important step within a systematic review. Whilst this step is outside the scope of this Library Guide there is some training on critical appraisal available:

Some other training provided by external organisations includes:

Cochrane Interactive Learning is aimed primarily for authors of systematic reviews following Cochrane methodology. It is useful for both introductory-level learners and more experienced learners who want to refresh and update their knowledge. This course provides over 10 hours of self-directed learning on the complete systematic review process for both new and experienced review authors.

Module 1: Introduction to conducting systematic reviews is a free module but the remaining modules require a subscription. At this stage there is no full institutional access at King's so if you are interested in accessing the other modules we recommend you assess whether the material would be suitable and talk to your supervisor or research group with regard to setting up an individual subscription. 

Statistics - support and software training

Are you looking for support for statistics or training in statistical software to help with the data analysis stage of your systematic review/meta-analysis?

Book an in-person 1-1 or an online 1-1

Via MS Teams, one of our senior library assistants can help you with e-resource navigation, searching online databases and journals, and building search strategies for literature reviews. Once booked, you will be sent an email with details of how to log in for your online appointment.  All 1-1s last 45 minutes.

The Maughan Library is located on Chancery Lane. Our senior library assistants can help you with e-resource navigation, searching online databases and journals, and building search strategies for literature reviews. Once booked, you will be sent an email with details of where to go for your in-person appointment. All 1-1s last 45 minutes.

Franklin Wilkins Library is located in Waterloo. Our senior library assistants can help you with e-resource navigation, searching online databases and journals, and building search strategies for literature reviews. Once booked, you will be sent an email with details of where to go for your in-person appointment. All 1-1s last 45 minutes.

New Hunt's House Library is located at Guy's Campus, London Bridge. Our senior library assistants can help you with e-resource navigation, searching online databases and journals, and building search strategies for literature reviews. Once booked, you will be sent an email with details of where to go for your in-person appointment. All 1-1s last 45 minutes.

Wearing scrubs to attend in-person workshops: Please be aware that some areas of King's campuses don't allow Trust members who are wearing hospital scrubs to enter the building.

St Thomas' House library & café is a social space located next to St Thomas' hospital and the Evelina children's hospital, a short walk from Lambeth North tube station. It is accessible to King's students/staff, and NHS staff from KCH Trust and Guy's & St Thomas' Trust who have a King's library card. Please bear in mind that this location is in a café used by King's students, staff and Trust staff, and therefore might be slightly noisier than our other 1-1 locations.

Our senior library assistants can help you with e-resource navigation, searching online databases and journals, and building search strategies for literature reviews. Once booked, you will be sent an email with details of where to meet for your in-person appointment. All 1-1s last 45 minutes.

Our Denmark Hill campus library is inside the Weston Education Centre, or WEC. Our senior library assistants can help you with e-resource navigation, searching online databases and journals, and building search strategies for literature reviews. Once booked, you will be sent an email with details of where to go for your in-person appointment. All 1-1s last 45 minutes. 

The IoPPN Library is located in Denmark Hill. Our senior library assistants can help you with e-resource navigation, searching online databases and journals, and building search strategies for literature reviews. Once booked, you will be sent an email with details of where to go for your in-person appointment. All 1-1s last 45 minutes.

Wearing scrubs to attend in-person workshops: Please be aware that some areas of King's campuses don't allow Trust members who are wearing hospital scrubs to enter the building.

Upcoming KLaSS Sign up workshops (Systematic Reviews)

NHS Sign-up Sessions

Sign-up sessions running in the next few months are highlighted below. For workshop details and to book a place, click on the session you are interested in and follow the onscreen prompts. Workshops may be online or at one of our library sites. All workshops online workshops use MS Teams. If you have any problems with your booking please contact library@kcl.ac.uk

List all dates

Systematic Review Drop-ins

Attend this drop-in for King's College London staff and students if you would like to discuss your search strategy or database query with a librarian or have any questions about the advanced searching skills required when undertaking a systematic review. 

There is no need to book your place, but please be aware that you may need to wait until a librarian finishes a conversation with another enquirer. Previous attendees have told us that listening to the answers to others' queries can also be useful and the librarian will be aware that you are waiting.

**Please note during summer 2024, we will be trialing using Microsoft Teams, instead of Gather.**

See the workshops schedule to find out more: