Different frameworks lend themselves to different discipline focuses and research questions. PICO is the most widely known framework developed mainly for research questions in the health sciences. Please note: The frameworks below are not an exhaustive list of systematic review frameworks that you can use.
PICo |
Population; Phenomenon of Interest, Context, Population Intervention or Phenomena of Interest, Context |
PICOCS |
Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcomes, Context |
TCCM |
Theory, Context, Characteristics, Methodology |
ADO |
Antecedents, Decisions, Outcomes |
ADO-TCM |
Antecedents, Decisions, Outcome, Theory, Context, Methodology |
IMO |
Input, Mediator, Outcome |
ECLIPSe |
Expectations (improvement, innovation or information), Client group, Location (where service is located), Impact (change in service and how measured), Professional involved, Service |
CLIP |
Client group, Location (where service is located), Improvement|Information|Innovation, Professionals (people who provide the service) |
CIMO |
Context, Intervention, Mechanisms, Outcomes |
Most guidelines recommend you search a few subject databases when conducting a systemic review. In addition, at least one citation tracking database should be searched to ensure a comprehensive search (Bramer et al., 2017). Ultimately, the choice of specific databases should be in line with the discipline or topic area, and the review’s guiding research question(s) (Hiebl, 2021).
This page lists prominent subject databases for each discipline area. A full list of databases can be found in the relevant Library Subject Guides.
Citation tracking databases cover many different subject areas and harvest information from many subject specific databases.
Systematic Review |
Aarseth, W., Ahola, T., Aaltonen, K., Økland, A., & Andersen, B. (2017). Project sustainability strategies: A systematic literature review. International Journal of Project Management, 35(6), 1071-1083. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijproman.2016.11.006 Di Vaio, A., Hassan, R., Chhabra, M., Arrigo, E., & Palladino, R. (2022). Sustainable entrepreneurship impact and entrepreneurial venture life cycle: A systematic literature review. Journal of Cleaner Production, 378, 134469. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.134469 Klang, D., Wallnöfer, M., & Hacklin, F. (2014). The Business Model Paradox: A Systematic Review and Exploration of Antecedents. International Journal of Management Reviews, 16(4), 454–478. https://doi.org/10.1111/ijmr.12030
|
Umbrella Review |
Guidotti, F., Demarie, S., Ciaccioni, S., & Capranica, L. (2023). Relevant sport management knowledge, competencies, and skills: An umbrella review. Sustainability, 15(12), 9515. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15129515
Macintyre, A. K., Shipton, D., Sarica, S., Scobie, G., Craig, N., & McCartney, G. (2024). Assessing the effects of population-level political, economic and social exposures, interventions and policies on inclusive economy outcomes for health equity in high-income countries: a systematic review of reviews. Systematic Reviews, 13(1), 58. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13643-023-02429-5
|
Narrative |
White, K., Habib, R., & Hardisty, D. J. (2019). How to SHIFT Consumer Behaviors to be More Sustainable: A Literature Review and Guiding Framework. Journal of Marketing, 83(3), 22-49. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022242919825649
Hossain, M. (2020). Sharing economy: A comprehensive literature review. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 87, 102470. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhm.2020.102470 |
Rapid |
Eon, C., Breadsell, J. K., Byrne, J., & Morrison, G. M. (2020). The discrepancy between as-built and as-designed in energy efficient buildings: A rapid review. Sustainability, 12(16), 6372. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12166372 Meadows, J., Montano, M., Alfar, A. J. K., Başkan, Ö. Y., De Brún, C., Hill, J., McClatchey, R., Kallfa, N., & Fernandes, G. S. (2024). The impact of the cost-of-living crisis on population health in the UK: Rapid evidence review. BMC Public Health, 24(1), 561. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-17940-0 |
Scoping review |
Han, S. J., & Stieha, V. (2020). Growth Mindset for Human Resource Development: A Scoping Review of the Literature with Recommended Interventions. Human Resource Development Review, 19(3), 309-331. https://doi.org/10.1177/1534484320939739 Paul, E., Bodson, O., & Ridde, V. (2021). What theories underpin performance-based financing? A scoping review. [Theories of PBF in LMICs] Journal of Health Organization and Management, 35(3), 344-381. https://doi.org/10.1108/JHOM-04-2020-0161
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BioMed Central. (2024). Systematic reviews: Protocol. Springer Nature. Retrieved 13 March 2024 from https://systematicreviewsjournal.biomedcentral.com/submission-guidelines/preparing-your-manuscript/protocol
Bramer, W., Rethlefsen, M. L., Kleijnen, J., & Franco, O. (2017). Optimal database combinations for literature searches in systematic reviews: A prospective exploratory study. Systematic Reviews, 6(1), 245-245. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13643-017-0644-y
Denyer, D., & Tranfield, D. (2009). Producing a systematic review. In D. A. Buchanan & A. Bryman (Eds.), The SAGE handbook of organizational research methods (pp. 671-689). Sage.
Faulkner, G., Fagan, M. J., & Lee, J. (2022). Umbrella reviews (systematic review of reviews). International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 15(1), 73-90. https://doi.org/10.1080/1750984X.2021.1934888
Gunnell, K. E., Belcourt, V. J., Tomasone, J. R., & Weeks, L. C. (2022). Systematic review methods. International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 15(1), 5-29. https://doi.org/10.1080/1750984X.2021.1966823
Hiebl, M. R. W. (2023). Sample Selection in Systematic Literature Reviews of Management Research. Organizational Research Methods, 26(2), 229-261. https://doi-org/10.1177/1094428120986851
Iannizzi, C., Akl, E. A., Anslinger, E., Weibel, S., Kahale, L. A., Abina, M. A., Piechotta, V., & Skoetz, N. (2023). Methods and guidance on conducting, reporting, publishing, and appraising living systematic reviews: a scoping review. Systematic Reviews, 12, 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13643-023-02396-x
Mantsiou, C., Liakos, A., Mainou, M., Papanas, N., Tsapas, A., & Bekiari, E. (2023). A Simple Guide to Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. The International Journal of Lower Extremity Wounds, 15347346231169842. https://doi.org/10.1177/15347346231169842
Munn, Z., Peters, M. D. J., Stern, C., Tufanaru, C., McArthur, A., & Aromataris, E. (2018). Systematic review or scoping review? Guidance for authors when choosing between a systematic or scoping review approach. BMC Medical Research Methodology, 18(1), N.PAG. https://doi-org.ezproxy.uws.edu.au/10.1186/s12874-018-0611-x
Paul, J., Khatri, P., & Kaur Duggal, H. Frameworks for developing impactful systematic literature reviews and theory building: What, Why and How? Journal of Decision Systems, 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1080/12460125.2023.2197700
Peters, M. D. J., Marnie, C., Colquhoun, H., Garritty, C. M., Hempel, S., Horsley, T., Langlois, E. V., Lillie, E., O’Brien, K. K., Tunçalp, Ӧ., Wilson, M. G., Zarin, W., & Tricco, A. C. (2021). Scoping reviews: reinforcing and advancing the methodology and application. Systematic Reviews, 10(1), 263. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13643-021-01821-3
Uttley, L., & Montgomery, P. (2017). The influence of the team in conducting a systematic review. Systematic Reviews, 6 https://doi.org/10.1186/s13643-017-0548-x
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