{"id":8176,"date":"2026-01-28T13:25:07","date_gmt":"2026-01-28T13:25:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/paperpal.com\/blog\/?p=8176"},"modified":"2026-02-04T20:46:52","modified_gmt":"2026-02-04T20:46:52","slug":"what-is-a-systematic-review-definition-steps-and-examples","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/paperpal.com\/blog\/researcher-resources\/what-is-a-systematic-review-definition-steps-and-examples","title":{"rendered":"What\u202fis a Systematic Review? Definition, Steps, and Examples\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"bsf_rt_marker\"><\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Systematic reviews&nbsp;have become a go-to tool for researchers, clinicians, and policymakers who want a clear, reliable picture of the evidence on a given topic.<sup>1<\/sup>&nbsp;Instead of skimming a few studies,&nbsp;systematic reviews&nbsp;dive&nbsp;deep, collecting and&nbsp;analyzing&nbsp;all relevant research to&nbsp;provide&nbsp;trustworthy insights. They&nbsp;are especially important in fields like healthcare and social sciences, where decisions need to be backed by solid, comprehensive evidence.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In this article, we&nbsp;will walk through the&nbsp;step-by-step process of conducting a systematic review, explore the&nbsp;different types, and explain how they differ from&nbsp;meta-analyses. We&nbsp;will also highlight the key features that make a review truly systematic and show why following these steps is important for producing reliable, evidence-based conclusions.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">By the end, you\u00a0will have a clear understanding of how\u00a0systematic reviews\u00a0are conducted, why they matter, and how they are used in research. Whether you\u00a0are new to the topic or looking to refresh your knowledge, this guide\u00a0provides\u00a0practical insights to help you navigate and apply\u00a0systematic reviews\u00a0effectively.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"what-is-a-systematic-review%25c2%25a0\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is a Systematic Review?\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A&nbsp;systematic review&nbsp;is a rigorous, step-by-step method for gathering, evaluating, and synthesizing all high-quality research on a focused question. Unlike a regular literature review, it&nbsp;considers&nbsp;all relevant studies, helping to reduce bias and&nbsp;provide&nbsp;a clear, reliable picture of the evidence.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The process involves defining a clear question,&nbsp;conducting&nbsp;a thorough search, applying strict rules for which studies to include,&nbsp;assessing&nbsp;the quality of the research, and then summarizing the findings in an organized way.<sup>1<\/sup>&nbsp;By combining and&nbsp;analyzing&nbsp;data from multiple studies,&nbsp;systematic reviews&nbsp;provide trustworthy, evidence-based insights that guide clinical practice, policy, and research decisions.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"has-background wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"background-color:#edf3ff\"><strong>You Might Like Reading: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/paperpal.com\/blog\/academic-writing-guides\/what-are-the-types-of-literature-reviews\"><strong>What are the Types of Literature Reviews?\u00a0<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"characteristics-of-a-systematic-review%25c2%25a0\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Characteristics of a Systematic Review\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A&nbsp;systematic review&nbsp;is not just a thorough literature&nbsp;search\u2014it is a&nbsp;carefully planned, transparent, and reproducible process<strong>&nbsp;<\/strong>that turns scattered research into clear, trustworthy insights.&nbsp;Here\u2019s&nbsp;what makes a&nbsp;systematic review&nbsp;tick:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>A Clear Question<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 Everything starts with a focused research question, often framed with\u00a0PICO\u00a0(Population, Intervention, Comparator, Outcome) to guide the review.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>A Predefined Plan<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 A detailed protocol maps out every\u00a0step in\u00a0advance, ensuring\u00a0a\u00a0transparent and reproducible<strong>\u00a0<\/strong>process.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>A Thorough Search<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013\u00a0Multiple databases, grey literature, and reference lists are combed systematically to capture all relevant studies.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Critical Quality Check<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 Each study is carefully assessed for\u00a0validity and risk of bias,\u00a0ensuring that no\u00a0weak evidence distorts\u00a0the\u00a0conclusions.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Organized Synthesis<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 Results are presented clearly, either as a\u00a0narrative summary\u00a0or a\u00a0meta-analysis, making complex evidence\u00a0easy to\u00a0understand.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Transparent Reporting<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 Following standards like\u00a0PRISMA\u00a0(Preferred Reporting Items for\u00a0Systematic Reviews\u00a0and Meta-Analyses), all methods, decisions, and limitations are laid out openly.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Teamwork Makes the Dream Work<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 Collaborating with content experts, methodologists, statisticians, and librarians ensures accuracy and depth.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In short,&nbsp;systematic reviews&nbsp;transform&nbsp;fragmented&nbsp;research into&nbsp;reliable, high-quality evidence&nbsp;that informs practice, policy, and future research.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"5-types-of-systematic-review%25c2%25a0\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">5 Types of Systematic Review\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While there are many approaches within evidence synthesis, five core types commonly referenced in research&nbsp;methodology&nbsp;resources are described below. These differ in purpose, scope, rigor, and output,&nbsp;making them suitable for different research questions and&nbsp;decisionmaking&nbsp;needs.<sup>2<\/sup>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><div class=\"pcrstb-wrap\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Review Type<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td><strong>Purpose<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td><strong>Key Characteristics<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td><strong>Typical Outcomes<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td><strong>Examples<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Traditional Systematic Review<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td>To answer a narrowly focused research question with comprehensive, unbiased evidence.&nbsp;<\/td><td>Highly structured protocol; exhaustive search; formal critical appraisal; transparent&nbsp;methodology.&nbsp;<\/td><td>Detailed synthesis that supports&nbsp;evidencebased&nbsp;practice or policy.&nbsp;<\/td><td>Evaluate the effectiveness of a specific teaching method, like blended learning, by synthesizing all experimental studies in higher education.&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Scoping Review<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td>To map the breadth and nature of evidence on a topic without focusing on narrow questions.&nbsp;<\/td><td>Broad search strategy; exploratory; often does&nbsp;<em>not<\/em>&nbsp;include formal quality appraisal.&nbsp;<\/td><td>A landscape of research areas, themes, gaps, and concept definitions.&nbsp;<\/td><td>Map research on digital learning tools for university students,&nbsp;identifying&nbsp;what has been studied and where gaps exist.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Rapid Review<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td>To provide&nbsp;timely&nbsp;evidence in urgent or&nbsp;policyrelevant&nbsp;contexts.&nbsp;<\/td><td>Follows systematic principles but streamlines or omits steps (e.g., limits search scope or appraisal depth).&nbsp;<\/td><td>Accelerated synthesis that may have less breadth or precision.&nbsp;<\/td><td>Quickly summarize evidence on interventions to improve student engagement during sudden shifts to online learning&nbsp;during COVID-19.&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>MetaAnalysis<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td>To quantitatively combine results from multiple&nbsp;compatible studies.&nbsp;<\/td><td>Statistical pooling of effect sizes; nested&nbsp;within a&nbsp;systematic review.&nbsp;<\/td><td>Aggregate numerical estimates&nbsp;with increased statistical power.&nbsp;<\/td><td>Combine data from multiple studies to&nbsp;determine&nbsp;the overall&nbsp;impact of active learning strategies on student performance.&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Umbrella Review<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td>To synthesize evidence&nbsp;<em>across<\/em>&nbsp;several&nbsp;systematic reviews&nbsp;on related topics.&nbsp;<\/td><td>\u201cReview of reviews\u201d;&nbsp;highestlevel&nbsp;evidence perspective.&nbsp;<\/td><td>Summaries of&nbsp;previous&nbsp;reviews\u2019 conclusions to inform broad&nbsp;decisionmaking.&nbsp;<\/td><td>Summarize several&nbsp;systematic reviews&nbsp;on approaches to improve academic retention in higher education, providing a high-level overview for policymakers or educators.&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"how-to-write-a-good-systematic-reviewnbsp\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to Write a Good Systematic Review? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Systematic review&nbsp;is not just about summarizing studies; it&nbsp;is&nbsp;about doing it rigorously, transparently, and in a way that other researchers could replicate.<sup>3<\/sup>&nbsp;Here\u2019s&nbsp;a step-by-step guide to make your review both authoritative and readable:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"1\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Start with a Sharp Research Question.<\/strong>\u00a0Do not\u00a0wander. Use frameworks like PICO (Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome) to narrow your focus. A clear question is the backbone of a solid review.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"2\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Draft a Rock-Solid Protocol.<\/strong>\u00a0Lay out your\u00a0objectives, inclusion\/exclusion rules, search strategy, and analysis plan.\u00a0Additionally,\u00a0register it on PROSPERO. It makes your work more transparent and credible.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"3\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Go All Out on Literature Search.<\/strong>\u00a0Hit multiple databases:\u00a0PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science,\u00a0and do not\u00a0forget\u00a0gray\u00a0literature. Use Boolean operators and\u00a0MeSH\u00a0(Medical Subject Headings)\u00a0terms to make sure you catch everything relevant. Document every step so others can reproduce it.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"4\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Screen Like a Pro.<\/strong>\u00a0Filter studies in two rounds: titles\/abstracts first, then full texts. Stick to your criteria and track your process. A PRISMA diagram\u00a0can help you\u00a0visualize your journey from hundreds of papers to the final\u00a0selection.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"5\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Check Study Quality.<\/strong>\u00a0Do not\u00a0treat all studies equally. Use tools like Cochrane Risk of Bias or Newcastle-Ottawa Scale to evaluate reliability. This helps you weigh evidence thoughtfully.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"6\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Extract Key Data Carefully.<\/strong>\u00a0Collect the essentials:\u00a0authors, sample size, interventions, outcomes,\u00a0and\u00a0results. Structured forms or software like Covidence make this smoother and reduce errors.\u00a0Once extraction is complete, <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/edit.paperpal.com\/sign-up?utm_source=contentmarketing&amp;utm_medium=paperpal-blog&amp;utm_campaign=what-is-a-systematic-review-definition-steps-and-examples\">Paperpal<\/a><\/strong> can help you convert technical notes into well-structured academic writing without losing accuracy.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"7\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Synthesize and\u00a0Analyze.<\/strong>\u00a0Decide whether a narrative summary or a\u00a0meta-analysis\u00a0fits your data. Highlight patterns, contradictions, and trends. Weigh findings by study quality so readers know\u00a0what\u2019s\u00a0solid and\u00a0what\u2019s\u00a0tentative.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"8\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Write Clearly and Transparently.<\/strong>\u00a0Follow PRISMA guidelines. Structure your review with clear sections: introduction, methods, results, discussion, conclusion, and appendices. Include search details so anyone could replicate your work.\u00a0To make your systematic review easier to read and journal-ready use <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/edit.paperpal.com\/sign-up?utm_source=contentmarketing&amp;utm_medium=paperpal-blog&amp;utm_campaign=what-is-a-systematic-review-definition-steps-and-examples\">Paperpal<\/a><\/strong> to refine academic tone, improve clarity, and strengthen overall flow across sections.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"9\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Keep It Fresh.<\/strong>\u00a0Science moves fast. Set up alerts or periodic reviews to update your\u00a0systematic review. Fresh evidence keeps it relevant and influential.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With these steps, your&nbsp;systematic review&nbsp;will&nbsp;not just summarize research,&nbsp;it will guide practice, inform policy, and shine a light on gaps waiting for new discoveries.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-fe48e5de wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-fill\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/edit.paperpal.com\/sign-up?utm_source=contentmarketing&amp;utm_medium=paperpal-blog&amp;utm_campaign=what-is-a-systematic-review-definition-steps-and-examples\" style=\"color:#051e57;background-color:#edf3ff\"><strong>Try Paperpal Now<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"examples-of-systematic-review%25c2%25a0\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Examples of Systematic Review\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Given below\u00a0are\u00a0examples\u00a0showing how a systematic review\u00a0can be applied in education research.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Example 1: Evaluating Online Learning Effectiveness in Higher Education<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Background:<\/strong>\u00a0Online learning has become increasingly common in universities, especially after rapid digital transformation. Many studies have explored its impact on student performance, engagement, and satisfaction, but results vary widely.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Systematic Review Process:<\/strong>\u00a0\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Defining the Question\u00a0<\/strong>\u2013\u00a0What impact does online learning have on academic performance and student engagement in higher education?\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Searching the Literature\u00a0<\/strong>\u2013\u00a0Conduct comprehensive searches across multiple academic databases using predefined keywords and inclusion criteria.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Screening Studies\u00a0<\/strong>\u2013\u00a0Independently review titles, abstracts, and full texts to\u00a0identify\u00a0studies that meet eligibility requirements.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Quality Assessment\u00a0<\/strong>\u2013\u00a0Evaluate the methodological quality of each study to understand strengths and potential biases.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Synthesizing Evidence\u00a0<\/strong>\u2013\u00a0Summarize findings narratively by comparing patterns, trends, and differences across studies.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Findings:<\/strong>\u00a0The\u00a0systematic review\u00a0shows that online learning can be just as effective as face-to-face instruction when courses are well designed, though outcomes depend heavily on student support, course structure, and instructor engagement.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Example 2: Exploring the Effectiveness of Active Learning Strategies in Higher Education<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Background:<\/strong>\u00a0Active learning strategies,\u00a0such as group discussions, flipped classrooms, and problem-solving activities\u00a0are increasingly used in higher education to improve student understanding and engagement. Many studies have examined their impact, but findings differ across disciplines and course formats.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Systematic Review Process:<\/strong>\u00a0\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Defining the Question\u00a0<\/strong>\u2013\u00a0How do active learning strategies influence student learning outcomes in higher education?\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Searching the Literature\u00a0<\/strong>\u2013\u00a0Conduct structured searches across education and multidisciplinary databases using predefined keywords.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Screening Studies\u00a0<\/strong>\u2013\u00a0Review titles, abstracts, and full texts to select studies that meet established inclusion criteria.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Quality Assessment\u00a0<\/strong>\u2013\u00a0Evaluate study design, measurement tools, and potential sources of bias.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Synthesizing Findings\u00a0<\/strong>\u2013\u00a0Summarize and compare results narratively to\u00a0identify\u00a0patterns, strengths, and limitations across studies.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Findings:<\/strong>\u00a0The\u00a0systematic review\u00a0indicates\u00a0that active learning\u00a0generally leads\u00a0to improved understanding and engagement among higher education students, though the effectiveness depends on class size, discipline, and how well the activities are implemented.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"advantages-and-disadvantages-of-systematic-review%25c2%25a0\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Advantages and Disadvantages of Systematic Review\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Advantages of Systematic Reviews<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>They provide a clear, big-picture view of what is already known about a topic by bringing together findings from many studies.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The results are\u00a0generally more\u00a0reliable and less prone to bias\u00a0because these reviews\u00a0follow a structured and transparent process.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Systematic reviews\u00a0help researchers and policymakers make evidence-based decisions instead of relying on single studies.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>They can highlight gaps in the existing literature, pointing to areas where more research is needed.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Disadvantages of Systematic Reviews<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>They are time-consuming and often take months, or even years, to complete.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The quality of the review depends heavily on the quality of the studies included;\u00a0poor data means weaker conclusions.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Developing and running a comprehensive search strategy can be complex and\u00a0resource-intensive.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If the available studies are\u00a0very different\u00a0from one another, drawing clear conclusions can be challenging.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Being mindful of both the advantages and disadvantages helps set realistic expectations and leads to better research decisions. While&nbsp;systematic reviews&nbsp;offer powerful, evidence-based insights, understanding their limitations ensures the findings are interpreted carefully and used in the right context.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While the methodology takes time, <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/edit.paperpal.com\/sign-up?utm_source=contentmarketing&amp;utm_medium=paperpal-blog&amp;utm_campaign=what-is-a-systematic-review-definition-steps-and-examples\">Paperpal<\/a><\/strong> can help speed up the manuscript-writing phase with research-ready language and clarity improvements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"key%25c2%25a0takeaways%25c2%25a0\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Key\u00a0Takeaways\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A\u00a0systematic review\u00a0is a structured and transparent way to answer a focused research question by gathering all relevant evidence, rather than relying on a selective or narrative overview.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It follows a predefined protocol, which helps ensure consistency, reduces bias, and makes the process reproducible.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Systematic reviews are different from meta-analyses;\u00a0while some include statistical pooling of results, many rely on careful qualitative synthesis instead.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Having at least two independent reviewers is essential to improve reliability when selecting and assessing studies.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A thorough search strategy, often covering multiple databases and grey literature, is key to capturing the full scope of existing research.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Even when studies are too diverse to combine statistically,\u00a0systematic reviews\u00a0still\u00a0provide\u00a0valuable insights that support evidence-based decisions.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"frequently-asked-questions%25c2%25a0\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Frequently Asked Questions\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"schema-faq wp-block-yoast-faq-block\"><div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1770210933266\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">What is\u00a0a\u00a0systematic review in research?\u00a0<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">A\u00a0systematic review\u00a0is a type of research that brings together all available evidence on a specific question using a clear, structured, and transparent method. Instead of relying on a single study, it critically evaluates and synthesizes findings from multiple studies to give a more reliable and balanced answer.\u00a0<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1770210959380\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">What are the steps in systematic review?\u00a0<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">A\u00a0systematic review\u00a0follows a clear sequence, starting with a focused research question and a predefined protocol. Researchers then search databases, screen and appraise studies, extract and synthesize the data, and finally report the results in a transparent, reproducible way. Throughout the process, decisions are carefully documented to minimize bias and improve credibility. Many reviews also include a flow diagram and quality assessment tables to help readers quickly understand how the evidence was handled.\u00a0<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1770210972031\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">What does a systematic review look like?\u00a0<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">A\u00a0systematic review\u00a0is usually a structured, clearly organized article that walks readers step by step through how studies were\u00a0identified, selected, and\u00a0analyzed. It includes sections like a detailed methods description, a flow diagram of study selection, and a results section that synthesizes findings rather than presenting new experiments.\u00a0<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1770210982233\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">How many authors are needed for a systematic review?\u00a0<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">A\u00a0systematic review\u00a0typically involves at least two authors to independently screen studies and reduce bias in the selection process. In practice, many reviews include three to five authors,\u00a0so tasks like data extraction, quality assessment, and writing can be shared more efficiently.\u00a0<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1770210995006\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">How long does a systematic review take?\u00a0<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">A\u00a0systematic review\u00a0usually takes several months to complete, and in many cases can stretch to a year or more. The timeline depends on factors like the size of the literature, how complex the research question is, and how many reviewers are involved in screening and analysis.\u00a0<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1770211008754\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">What databases are best for systematic reviews?\u00a0<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">When\u00a0conducting\u00a0systematic reviews, researchers typically rely on a mix of\u00a0large, well-established databases\u00a0to ensure they capture a broad and unbiased range of studies. Common sources such as PubMed\/MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Library are typically used, along with multidisciplinary databases like Scopus or Web of Science,\u00a0to catch studies that might otherwise be missed. In addition, many reviewers also search\u00a0grey literature, conference proceedings, and trial registries\u00a0to make sure no important evidence is overlooked, giving the review maximum depth and reliability.\u00a0<\/p> <\/div> <\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Paperpal&nbsp;is a comprehensive AI writing toolkit that helps students and researchers achieve 2x the writing in half the time. It&nbsp;leverages&nbsp;23+ years of STM experience and insights from millions of research articles to provide in-depth academic writing, language editing, and submission readiness support to help you write better, faster.<\/em>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Get\u00a0accurate\u00a0academic translations, rewriting support, grammar checks, vocabulary suggestions, and generative AI\u00a0assistance\u00a0that delivers human precision at machine speed.\u00a0<\/em><strong><em>Try for free or\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/paperpal.com\/pricing?utm_source=contentmarketing&amp;utm_medium=paperpal-blog&amp;utm_campaign=what-is-a-systematic-review-definition-steps-and-examples\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong><em>upgrade to Paperpal Prime<\/em><\/strong><\/a><strong><em>\u00a0starting at US$25\u00a0a month\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><em>to access premium features, including consistency, plagiarism, and 30+ submission readiness checks to help you succeed.<\/em>\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Experience the future of academic writing &#8211;\u00a0<\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/edit.paperpal.com\/sign-up?utm_source=contentmarketing&amp;utm_medium=paperpal-blog&amp;utm_campaign=what-is-a-systematic-review-definition-steps-and-examples\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong><em>Sign up to Paperpal and start writing for free!<\/em><\/strong><\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">References&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"1\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Charrois, T. L. (2015). Systematic reviews: what do you need to know to get\u00a0started?.\u202f<em>The Canadian journal of hospital pharmacy<\/em>,\u202f<em>68<\/em>(2), 144.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"2\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Zaccagnini, M., &amp; Li, J. (2023). How to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis: a guide for clinicians.\u202f<em>Respiratory Care<\/em>,\u202f<em>68<\/em>(9), 1295-1308.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"3\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>M\u00f8ller, A. M., &amp; Myles, P. S. (2016). What makes a good systematic review and meta-analysis?.\u202f<em>BJA: British Journal of Anaesthesia<\/em>,\u202f<em>117<\/em>(4), 428-430.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Systematic reviews&nbsp;have become a go-to tool for researchers, clinicians, and policymakers who want a clear, reliable picture of the evidence on a given topic.1&nbsp;Instead of skimming a few studies,&nbsp;systematic reviews&nbsp;dive&nbsp;deep,&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":20,"featured_media":8178,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","_FSMCFIC_featured_image_caption":"","_FSMCFIC_featured_image_nocaption":"","_FSMCFIC_featured_image_hide":"","_ayudawp_aiss_exclude":false,"_ayudawp_aiss_summary":"","_ayudawp_aiss_summary_provider":"","_ayudawp_aiss_summary_hash":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[132],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8176","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-researcher-resources"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.9 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>What is a Systematic Review? Definition, Steps, and Examples | Paperpal<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Wondering what is a systematic review in research? Read on to understand what it is, the different types, and steps to conduct a systematic literature review with real examples.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/paperpal.com\/blog\/researcher-resources\/what-is-a-systematic-review-definition-steps-and-examples\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"What is a Systematic Review? Definition, Steps, and Examples | Paperpal\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Wondering what is a systematic review in research? Read on to understand what it is, the different types, and steps to conduct a systematic literature review with real examples.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/paperpal.com\/blog\/researcher-resources\/what-is-a-systematic-review-definition-steps-and-examples\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Paperpal Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-01-28T13:25:07+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-02-04T20:46:52+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/pp-blog.paperpal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/nurse-therapy-session-addressing-trauma-post-traumatic-stress-1.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1920\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1080\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Dhanya Alex\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Dhanya Alex\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"11 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/paperpal.com\\\/blog\\\/researcher-resources\\\/what-is-a-systematic-review-definition-steps-and-examples#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/paperpal.com\\\/blog\\\/researcher-resources\\\/what-is-a-systematic-review-definition-steps-and-examples\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Dhanya Alex\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/paperpal.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/93a9afd20ece48bce346bafffb88521c\"},\"headline\":\"What\u202fis a Systematic Review? Definition, Steps, and Examples\u00a0\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-01-28T13:25:07+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-02-04T20:46:52+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/paperpal.com\\\/blog\\\/researcher-resources\\\/what-is-a-systematic-review-definition-steps-and-examples\"},\"wordCount\":2567,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/paperpal.com\\\/blog\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/paperpal.com\\\/blog\\\/researcher-resources\\\/what-is-a-systematic-review-definition-steps-and-examples#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/paperpal.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/02\\\/nurse-therapy-session-addressing-trauma-post-traumatic-stress-1.jpg\",\"articleSection\":[\"Researcher Resources\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":[\"WebPage\",\"FAQPage\"],\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/paperpal.com\\\/blog\\\/researcher-resources\\\/what-is-a-systematic-review-definition-steps-and-examples\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/paperpal.com\\\/blog\\\/researcher-resources\\\/what-is-a-systematic-review-definition-steps-and-examples\",\"name\":\"What is a Systematic Review? Definition, Steps, and Examples | Paperpal\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/paperpal.com\\\/blog\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/paperpal.com\\\/blog\\\/researcher-resources\\\/what-is-a-systematic-review-definition-steps-and-examples#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/paperpal.com\\\/blog\\\/researcher-resources\\\/what-is-a-systematic-review-definition-steps-and-examples#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/paperpal.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/02\\\/nurse-therapy-session-addressing-trauma-post-traumatic-stress-1.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-01-28T13:25:07+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-02-04T20:46:52+00:00\",\"description\":\"Wondering what is a systematic review in research? Read on to understand what it is, the different types, and steps to conduct a systematic literature review with real examples.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/paperpal.com\\\/blog\\\/researcher-resources\\\/what-is-a-systematic-review-definition-steps-and-examples#breadcrumb\"},\"mainEntity\":[{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/paperpal.com\\\/blog\\\/researcher-resources\\\/what-is-a-systematic-review-definition-steps-and-examples#faq-question-1770210933266\"},{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/paperpal.com\\\/blog\\\/researcher-resources\\\/what-is-a-systematic-review-definition-steps-and-examples#faq-question-1770210959380\"},{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/paperpal.com\\\/blog\\\/researcher-resources\\\/what-is-a-systematic-review-definition-steps-and-examples#faq-question-1770210972031\"},{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/paperpal.com\\\/blog\\\/researcher-resources\\\/what-is-a-systematic-review-definition-steps-and-examples#faq-question-1770210982233\"},{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/paperpal.com\\\/blog\\\/researcher-resources\\\/what-is-a-systematic-review-definition-steps-and-examples#faq-question-1770210995006\"},{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/paperpal.com\\\/blog\\\/researcher-resources\\\/what-is-a-systematic-review-definition-steps-and-examples#faq-question-1770211008754\"}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/paperpal.com\\\/blog\\\/researcher-resources\\\/what-is-a-systematic-review-definition-steps-and-examples\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/paperpal.com\\\/blog\\\/researcher-resources\\\/what-is-a-systematic-review-definition-steps-and-examples#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/paperpal.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/02\\\/nurse-therapy-session-addressing-trauma-post-traumatic-stress-1.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/paperpal.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/02\\\/nurse-therapy-session-addressing-trauma-post-traumatic-stress-1.jpg\",\"width\":1920,\"height\":1080,\"caption\":\"Zotero vs Mendeley for Reference Management\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/paperpal.com\\\/blog\\\/researcher-resources\\\/what-is-a-systematic-review-definition-steps-and-examples#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/paperpal.com\\\/blog\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"What\u202fis a Systematic Review? Definition, Steps, and Examples\u00a0\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/paperpal.com\\\/blog\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/paperpal.com\\\/blog\\\/\",\"name\":\"Paperpal Blog\",\"description\":\"\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/paperpal.com\\\/blog\\\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/paperpal.com\\\/blog\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/paperpal.com\\\/blog\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Paperpal Blog\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/paperpal.com\\\/blog\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/paperpal.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/paperpal.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2021\\\/10\\\/cropped-cropped-paperpal-logo.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/paperpal.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2021\\\/10\\\/cropped-cropped-paperpal-logo.png\",\"width\":202,\"height\":60,\"caption\":\"Paperpal Blog\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/paperpal.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"}},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/paperpal.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/93a9afd20ece48bce346bafffb88521c\",\"name\":\"Dhanya Alex\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/pp-blog.paperpal.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/03\\\/cropped-Dhanya-Alex-96x96.jpeg\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/pp-blog.paperpal.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/03\\\/cropped-Dhanya-Alex-96x96.jpeg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/pp-blog.paperpal.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/03\\\/cropped-Dhanya-Alex-96x96.jpeg\",\"caption\":\"Dhanya Alex\"},\"description\":\"Dhanya Alex is a freelance academic editor and scholarly communication specialist with expertise in research methodologies, data analysis, and scientific writing. She focuses on supporting researchers across disciplines, including technology, engineering, and social sciences, to prepare manuscripts for publication. Dhanya Alex holds a Master\u2019s degree in Social Science: Research Methods &amp; Statistics from the University of Liverpool and has contributed to research on Intelligent Recognition Systems. Leveraging her strong foundation in research design and statistical analysis, she helps researchers and early-career scientists communicate their findings clearly, improve manuscript quality, and navigate the publication process effectively. Outside of work, she enjoys exploring emerging technologies, staying up-to-date with scientific advancements, and mentoring students in research and writing skills.\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/paperpal.com\\\/blog\\\/author\\\/dhanya-alexcactusglobal-com\"},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/paperpal.com\\\/blog\\\/researcher-resources\\\/what-is-a-systematic-review-definition-steps-and-examples#faq-question-1770210933266\",\"position\":1,\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/paperpal.com\\\/blog\\\/researcher-resources\\\/what-is-a-systematic-review-definition-steps-and-examples#faq-question-1770210933266\",\"name\":\"What is\u00a0a\u00a0systematic review in research?\u00a0\",\"answerCount\":1,\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"A\u00a0systematic review\u00a0is a type of research that brings together all available evidence on a specific question using a clear, structured, and transparent method. Instead of relying on a single study, it critically evaluates and synthesizes findings from multiple studies to give a more reliable and balanced answer.\u00a0\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/paperpal.com\\\/blog\\\/researcher-resources\\\/what-is-a-systematic-review-definition-steps-and-examples#faq-question-1770210959380\",\"position\":2,\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/paperpal.com\\\/blog\\\/researcher-resources\\\/what-is-a-systematic-review-definition-steps-and-examples#faq-question-1770210959380\",\"name\":\"What are the steps in systematic review?\u00a0\",\"answerCount\":1,\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"A\u00a0systematic review\u00a0follows a clear sequence, starting with a focused research question and a predefined protocol. Researchers then search databases, screen and appraise studies, extract and synthesize the data, and finally report the results in a transparent, reproducible way. Throughout the process, decisions are carefully documented to minimize bias and improve credibility. Many reviews also include a flow diagram and quality assessment tables to help readers quickly understand how the evidence was handled.\u00a0\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/paperpal.com\\\/blog\\\/researcher-resources\\\/what-is-a-systematic-review-definition-steps-and-examples#faq-question-1770210972031\",\"position\":3,\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/paperpal.com\\\/blog\\\/researcher-resources\\\/what-is-a-systematic-review-definition-steps-and-examples#faq-question-1770210972031\",\"name\":\"What does a systematic review look like?\u00a0\",\"answerCount\":1,\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"A\u00a0systematic review\u00a0is usually a structured, clearly organized article that walks readers step by step through how studies were\u00a0identified, selected, and\u00a0analyzed. It includes sections like a detailed methods description, a flow diagram of study selection, and a results section that synthesizes findings rather than presenting new experiments.\u00a0\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/paperpal.com\\\/blog\\\/researcher-resources\\\/what-is-a-systematic-review-definition-steps-and-examples#faq-question-1770210982233\",\"position\":4,\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/paperpal.com\\\/blog\\\/researcher-resources\\\/what-is-a-systematic-review-definition-steps-and-examples#faq-question-1770210982233\",\"name\":\"How many authors are needed for a systematic review?\u00a0\",\"answerCount\":1,\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"A\u00a0systematic review\u00a0typically involves at least two authors to independently screen studies and reduce bias in the selection process. In practice, many reviews include three to five authors,\u00a0so tasks like data extraction, quality assessment, and writing can be shared more efficiently.\u00a0\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/paperpal.com\\\/blog\\\/researcher-resources\\\/what-is-a-systematic-review-definition-steps-and-examples#faq-question-1770210995006\",\"position\":5,\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/paperpal.com\\\/blog\\\/researcher-resources\\\/what-is-a-systematic-review-definition-steps-and-examples#faq-question-1770210995006\",\"name\":\"How long does a systematic review take?\u00a0\",\"answerCount\":1,\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"A\u00a0systematic review\u00a0usually takes several months to complete, and in many cases can stretch to a year or more. The timeline depends on factors like the size of the literature, how complex the research question is, and how many reviewers are involved in screening and analysis.\u00a0\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/paperpal.com\\\/blog\\\/researcher-resources\\\/what-is-a-systematic-review-definition-steps-and-examples#faq-question-1770211008754\",\"position\":6,\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/paperpal.com\\\/blog\\\/researcher-resources\\\/what-is-a-systematic-review-definition-steps-and-examples#faq-question-1770211008754\",\"name\":\"What databases are best for systematic reviews?\u00a0\",\"answerCount\":1,\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"When\u00a0conducting\u00a0systematic reviews, researchers typically rely on a mix of\u00a0large, well-established databases\u00a0to ensure they capture a broad and unbiased range of studies. Common sources such as PubMed\\\/MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Library are typically used, along with multidisciplinary databases like Scopus or Web of Science,\u00a0to catch studies that might otherwise be missed. In addition, many reviewers also search\u00a0grey literature, conference proceedings, and trial registries\u00a0to make sure no important evidence is overlooked, giving the review maximum depth and reliability.\u00a0\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"What is a Systematic Review? Definition, Steps, and Examples | Paperpal","description":"Wondering what is a systematic review in research? Read on to understand what it is, the different types, and steps to conduct a systematic literature review with real examples.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/paperpal.com\/blog\/researcher-resources\/what-is-a-systematic-review-definition-steps-and-examples","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"What is a Systematic Review? Definition, Steps, and Examples | Paperpal","og_description":"Wondering what is a systematic review in research? Read on to understand what it is, the different types, and steps to conduct a systematic literature review with real examples.","og_url":"https:\/\/paperpal.com\/blog\/researcher-resources\/what-is-a-systematic-review-definition-steps-and-examples","og_site_name":"Paperpal Blog","article_published_time":"2026-01-28T13:25:07+00:00","article_modified_time":"2026-02-04T20:46:52+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1920,"height":1080,"url":"https:\/\/pp-blog.paperpal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/nurse-therapy-session-addressing-trauma-post-traumatic-stress-1.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Dhanya Alex","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Dhanya Alex","Est. reading time":"11 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/paperpal.com\/blog\/researcher-resources\/what-is-a-systematic-review-definition-steps-and-examples#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/paperpal.com\/blog\/researcher-resources\/what-is-a-systematic-review-definition-steps-and-examples"},"author":{"name":"Dhanya Alex","@id":"https:\/\/paperpal.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/93a9afd20ece48bce346bafffb88521c"},"headline":"What\u202fis a Systematic Review? Definition, Steps, and Examples\u00a0","datePublished":"2026-01-28T13:25:07+00:00","dateModified":"2026-02-04T20:46:52+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/paperpal.com\/blog\/researcher-resources\/what-is-a-systematic-review-definition-steps-and-examples"},"wordCount":2567,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/paperpal.com\/blog\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/paperpal.com\/blog\/researcher-resources\/what-is-a-systematic-review-definition-steps-and-examples#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/paperpal.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/nurse-therapy-session-addressing-trauma-post-traumatic-stress-1.jpg","articleSection":["Researcher Resources"],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":["WebPage","FAQPage"],"@id":"https:\/\/paperpal.com\/blog\/researcher-resources\/what-is-a-systematic-review-definition-steps-and-examples","url":"https:\/\/paperpal.com\/blog\/researcher-resources\/what-is-a-systematic-review-definition-steps-and-examples","name":"What is a Systematic Review? Definition, Steps, and Examples | Paperpal","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/paperpal.com\/blog\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/paperpal.com\/blog\/researcher-resources\/what-is-a-systematic-review-definition-steps-and-examples#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/paperpal.com\/blog\/researcher-resources\/what-is-a-systematic-review-definition-steps-and-examples#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/paperpal.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/nurse-therapy-session-addressing-trauma-post-traumatic-stress-1.jpg","datePublished":"2026-01-28T13:25:07+00:00","dateModified":"2026-02-04T20:46:52+00:00","description":"Wondering what is a systematic review in research? Read on to understand what it is, the different types, and steps to conduct a systematic literature review with real examples.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/paperpal.com\/blog\/researcher-resources\/what-is-a-systematic-review-definition-steps-and-examples#breadcrumb"},"mainEntity":[{"@id":"https:\/\/paperpal.com\/blog\/researcher-resources\/what-is-a-systematic-review-definition-steps-and-examples#faq-question-1770210933266"},{"@id":"https:\/\/paperpal.com\/blog\/researcher-resources\/what-is-a-systematic-review-definition-steps-and-examples#faq-question-1770210959380"},{"@id":"https:\/\/paperpal.com\/blog\/researcher-resources\/what-is-a-systematic-review-definition-steps-and-examples#faq-question-1770210972031"},{"@id":"https:\/\/paperpal.com\/blog\/researcher-resources\/what-is-a-systematic-review-definition-steps-and-examples#faq-question-1770210982233"},{"@id":"https:\/\/paperpal.com\/blog\/researcher-resources\/what-is-a-systematic-review-definition-steps-and-examples#faq-question-1770210995006"},{"@id":"https:\/\/paperpal.com\/blog\/researcher-resources\/what-is-a-systematic-review-definition-steps-and-examples#faq-question-1770211008754"}],"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/paperpal.com\/blog\/researcher-resources\/what-is-a-systematic-review-definition-steps-and-examples"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/paperpal.com\/blog\/researcher-resources\/what-is-a-systematic-review-definition-steps-and-examples#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/paperpal.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/nurse-therapy-session-addressing-trauma-post-traumatic-stress-1.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/paperpal.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/nurse-therapy-session-addressing-trauma-post-traumatic-stress-1.jpg","width":1920,"height":1080,"caption":"Zotero vs Mendeley for Reference Management"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/paperpal.com\/blog\/researcher-resources\/what-is-a-systematic-review-definition-steps-and-examples#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/paperpal.com\/blog\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"What\u202fis a Systematic Review? Definition, Steps, and Examples\u00a0"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/paperpal.com\/blog\/#website","url":"https:\/\/paperpal.com\/blog\/","name":"Paperpal Blog","description":"","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/paperpal.com\/blog\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/paperpal.com\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/paperpal.com\/blog\/#organization","name":"Paperpal Blog","url":"https:\/\/paperpal.com\/blog\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/paperpal.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/paperpal.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/cropped-cropped-paperpal-logo.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/paperpal.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/cropped-cropped-paperpal-logo.png","width":202,"height":60,"caption":"Paperpal Blog"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/paperpal.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"}},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/paperpal.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/93a9afd20ece48bce346bafffb88521c","name":"Dhanya Alex","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/pp-blog.paperpal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/cropped-Dhanya-Alex-96x96.jpeg","url":"https:\/\/pp-blog.paperpal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/cropped-Dhanya-Alex-96x96.jpeg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/pp-blog.paperpal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/cropped-Dhanya-Alex-96x96.jpeg","caption":"Dhanya Alex"},"description":"Dhanya Alex is a freelance academic editor and scholarly communication specialist with expertise in research methodologies, data analysis, and scientific writing. She focuses on supporting researchers across disciplines, including technology, engineering, and social sciences, to prepare manuscripts for publication. Dhanya Alex holds a Master\u2019s degree in Social Science: Research Methods &amp; Statistics from the University of Liverpool and has contributed to research on Intelligent Recognition Systems. Leveraging her strong foundation in research design and statistical analysis, she helps researchers and early-career scientists communicate their findings clearly, improve manuscript quality, and navigate the publication process effectively. Outside of work, she enjoys exploring emerging technologies, staying up-to-date with scientific advancements, and mentoring students in research and writing skills.","url":"https:\/\/paperpal.com\/blog\/author\/dhanya-alexcactusglobal-com"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/paperpal.com\/blog\/researcher-resources\/what-is-a-systematic-review-definition-steps-and-examples#faq-question-1770210933266","position":1,"url":"https:\/\/paperpal.com\/blog\/researcher-resources\/what-is-a-systematic-review-definition-steps-and-examples#faq-question-1770210933266","name":"What is\u00a0a\u00a0systematic review in research?\u00a0","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"A\u00a0systematic review\u00a0is a type of research that brings together all available evidence on a specific question using a clear, structured, and transparent method. Instead of relying on a single study, it critically evaluates and synthesizes findings from multiple studies to give a more reliable and balanced answer.\u00a0","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/paperpal.com\/blog\/researcher-resources\/what-is-a-systematic-review-definition-steps-and-examples#faq-question-1770210959380","position":2,"url":"https:\/\/paperpal.com\/blog\/researcher-resources\/what-is-a-systematic-review-definition-steps-and-examples#faq-question-1770210959380","name":"What are the steps in systematic review?\u00a0","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"A\u00a0systematic review\u00a0follows a clear sequence, starting with a focused research question and a predefined protocol. Researchers then search databases, screen and appraise studies, extract and synthesize the data, and finally report the results in a transparent, reproducible way. Throughout the process, decisions are carefully documented to minimize bias and improve credibility. Many reviews also include a flow diagram and quality assessment tables to help readers quickly understand how the evidence was handled.\u00a0","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/paperpal.com\/blog\/researcher-resources\/what-is-a-systematic-review-definition-steps-and-examples#faq-question-1770210972031","position":3,"url":"https:\/\/paperpal.com\/blog\/researcher-resources\/what-is-a-systematic-review-definition-steps-and-examples#faq-question-1770210972031","name":"What does a systematic review look like?\u00a0","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"A\u00a0systematic review\u00a0is usually a structured, clearly organized article that walks readers step by step through how studies were\u00a0identified, selected, and\u00a0analyzed. It includes sections like a detailed methods description, a flow diagram of study selection, and a results section that synthesizes findings rather than presenting new experiments.\u00a0","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/paperpal.com\/blog\/researcher-resources\/what-is-a-systematic-review-definition-steps-and-examples#faq-question-1770210982233","position":4,"url":"https:\/\/paperpal.com\/blog\/researcher-resources\/what-is-a-systematic-review-definition-steps-and-examples#faq-question-1770210982233","name":"How many authors are needed for a systematic review?\u00a0","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"A\u00a0systematic review\u00a0typically involves at least two authors to independently screen studies and reduce bias in the selection process. In practice, many reviews include three to five authors,\u00a0so tasks like data extraction, quality assessment, and writing can be shared more efficiently.\u00a0","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/paperpal.com\/blog\/researcher-resources\/what-is-a-systematic-review-definition-steps-and-examples#faq-question-1770210995006","position":5,"url":"https:\/\/paperpal.com\/blog\/researcher-resources\/what-is-a-systematic-review-definition-steps-and-examples#faq-question-1770210995006","name":"How long does a systematic review take?\u00a0","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"A\u00a0systematic review\u00a0usually takes several months to complete, and in many cases can stretch to a year or more. The timeline depends on factors like the size of the literature, how complex the research question is, and how many reviewers are involved in screening and analysis.\u00a0","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/paperpal.com\/blog\/researcher-resources\/what-is-a-systematic-review-definition-steps-and-examples#faq-question-1770211008754","position":6,"url":"https:\/\/paperpal.com\/blog\/researcher-resources\/what-is-a-systematic-review-definition-steps-and-examples#faq-question-1770211008754","name":"What databases are best for systematic reviews?\u00a0","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"When\u00a0conducting\u00a0systematic reviews, researchers typically rely on a mix of\u00a0large, well-established databases\u00a0to ensure they capture a broad and unbiased range of studies. Common sources such as PubMed\/MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Library are typically used, along with multidisciplinary databases like Scopus or Web of Science,\u00a0to catch studies that might otherwise be missed. In addition, many reviewers also search\u00a0grey literature, conference proceedings, and trial registries\u00a0to make sure no important evidence is overlooked, giving the review maximum depth and reliability.\u00a0","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/paperpal.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8176","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/paperpal.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/paperpal.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paperpal.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/20"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paperpal.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8176"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/paperpal.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8176\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8179,"href":"https:\/\/paperpal.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8176\/revisions\/8179"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paperpal.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8178"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/paperpal.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8176"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paperpal.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8176"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paperpal.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8176"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}