Systematic Literature Review: Meaning, Steps & How to Write One?

• A systematic literature review (SLR) is a method that is applied to gather, analyze, and present existing research on a particular issue systematically and objectively.
• The literature review is carried out by academicians, researchers, and even students in order to identify sources that confirm or deny some specific issues and find the gaps in previously conducted research. 
• There are various differences between a systematic review and an ordinary one since the former is more extensive and clear about its goals and methodology of research.
• The procedure of conducting a systematic literature review involves steps as posing a research question, selecting relevant researches, extracting data, and analyzing the data to answer a certain problem.

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What Is a Systematic Literature Review?

A systematic literature review (SLR) refers to an approach to collect, analyze, and summary of information on one’s topic based on the available research. This kind of study helps the researchers in finding reliable information to answer their research questions, thereby focusing on the topic information.

The systematic literature review is quite different from the normal literature review as it is systematic and involves a particular process of conducting research.

Features of the Systematic Literature Review:

• Defined research question.
• A structured and systematic procedure that will be followed.
• Searching for articles in multiple reliable databases.
• Applying certain criteria of inclusion and exclusion.
• Quality assessment of the included articles.
• Minimizing bias through a systematic approach to review.
• Combining results of different studies and drawing evidence-based conclusions.

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Why Is a Systematic Literature Review Important?

A systematic literature review enables researchers to evaluate the existing knowledge in a field systematically. It increases the credibility of the research, improves transparency, and enhances future research by providing a reliable source of information.

Key reasons why a systematic literature review is necessary:

• Identifies research gaps
• Provides reliable evidence
• Reduces bias in research
• Improves research quality
• Supports better decision-making
• Compares findings from different studies
• Builds a strong foundation for future research
• Strengthens evidence-based conclusions

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Key Components of a Systematic Literature Review

A systematic literature review implies a set of clearly defined steps necessary to achieve a valid, verifiable, and unbiased result. Each part of the review has a specific purpose, and all components are equally essential in completing the task.

Research components of a systematic literature review include:

• Research question: A specific query posed by the author;
• Search strategy: Strategies used for delving into databases;
• Inclusion and exclusion criteria: A set of requirements necessary to screen the research paper.
• Study selection: The process of choosing eligible research papers;
• Data extraction: Pulling the required data from the selected articles;
• Quality assessment: Evaluating the quality and reliability of the chosen research papers.
• Data analysis and synthesis: Analyzing the obtained data in order to systematize the information.
• Results and findings: The ultimate results of a systematic literature review.
• Conclusion: A brief summary of results, along with some recommendations or discussion of possible gaps in the reviewed research.

Steps to Conduct a Systematic Literature Review

A systematic literature review is a process of collating, appraisal, and analyzing research to generate information on a specific field.

Below are the steps of conducting a systematic literature review:

Step 1: State the Research Question

• The first step select the interested topic.
• Create a research question paper.
• Make sure the question is very well focused and researchable.

Step 2: Design the Review Protocol

• This is the stage at which the objectives of the review are stated together with the research design to be adopted.
• It is advisable to make a document and view before starting the next process.

Step 3: Databases Identification

• The third stage involves identifying databases to use in the review.
• At this point, it is important to identify and select journals, conferences, and databases that one will use in the review.

Step 4: Search Strategy

• The fourth procedure is coming up with a search strategy.
• At this stage, people should come up with keywords and search terms that can be used to locate relevant documents.
• Keywords and search strings should be use to perform search in the identified databases.

Step 5: Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria

• This phase includes defining inclusion and exclusion criteria for selecting relevant studies to be used for the review.
• Apply the criteria consistently.

Step 6: Study Screening

• The sixth procedure is to check the list of studies to help identify relevant studies that will be used for the review.
• At this point, people should go through the titles and abstracts of the studies that were identified in the previous stages.

Step 7: Data Extraction

• The seventh step involves extracting data from the documents that were identified as relevant in the screening process.
• At this point, people should identify and record relevant data about the selected documents.

Step 8: Study Quality Assessment

• The eighth procedure is assessing the quality of the selected studies.
• Assessment of the quality of the selected studies helps people to determine the reliability of the study.

Step 9: Analysis and Synthesis

• The ninth step involves carrying out an analysis of the results to generate meaningful insights that will be used to address the research question.

Step 10: Report and Presentation

• This step of review writing process stands for structuring the review properly.
• It covers presenting the results and discuss them.
• Besides, it covers summarizing of the concluding statements and adding references.

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How to Write a Systematic Literature Review?

In order to write a systematic literature review, it requires a clear and well-organized format. There is a specific role for each part that helps to organizing the entire research process and findings.

Here are the main sections of a systematic literature review: