FAQs for Systematic and Scoping Reviews

Galter Library does not endorse any of the tools listed below. Review teams should learn about the tools features including possible limitations and select the best tool for the team and review.

There are several tools available to help organize and manage references for systematic and scoping reviews. They include:

• EndNote: A popular reference management tool that allows you to organize citations, collaborate with colleagues, and export  references in different formats and to different screening tools.
• Rayyan: A free web-based tool to help researchers screen references in systematic reviews.
• Covidence: Designed specifically for systematic reviews, Covidence integrates with tools like EndNote and provides features for citation screening, full-text review, and data extraction.

There are many features in EndNote that can help with the tasks listed below in the review process:

• Organize references: Consider using EndNote’s group feature to organize import citations by databases or other tasks in the review process. Attend our Conducting a Systematic Review: Part 2 - Tools & Resources class to learn more.
• Remove duplicates: Use EndNote's “Find Duplicates” feature to detect and remove duplicate citations before screening.
• Use with online screening tools: You can export references from EndNote into Covidence or Rayyan for the screening processes.
• Citation formatting: EndNote helps you format citations and reference lists according to journal guidelines when writing your final review.

Attend an EndNote class to learn more about these and other useful features for your review.

The selection of a data extraction tool is influenced by various factors, including resource availability as well as team workflow and preferences. Commonly used tools include:

• Excel: A simple yet powerful tool for custom data extraction tables, especially useful when the review requires specific data points not available in automated tools.
• Covidence: Provides an intuitive interface for customizable data extraction.
• RevMan: Cochrane's Review Manager software supports the entire review process, including data extraction and meta-analysis.
• DistillerSR: A paid tool that automates parts of the systematic review process, including data extraction.

More tools listed on the Multi-purpose and Screening and Data Extraction pages of the AI Resources for Literature Reviews GalterGuide.

There are no standard or gold standard data extraction forms.

Each data extraction form should be tailored based on the research question or questions, content knowledge, objectives, and other data needs of the reviews.

Consider running an online search for templates available for teams to review and modify as needed. See the Project Management Tools for Systematic Reviews page or attend a Conducting a Systematic Review: Part 2 - Tools & Resources [class recording available on class page] for tips and related resources.

Assessing the quality of included studies is optional for a scoping review but crucial and required for a systematic review. The selection of risk of bias (ROB) or quality assessment (QA) tool depends on factors such as the study design, content expertise, review objectives including the PICO or PCC elements, methodology and other aspects that may impact quality or bias.

Your team is responsible for selecting the best tool for your review and readers.

See commonly used ROB and QA tools on the Tools for Reviewers page.

Managing references – Under the full-collaboration model, the collaborating librarian will use EndNote to manage results from the database searches. Teams are responsible for other citation management tasks.

Quality assessment –The selection of ROB and other quality assessments tools is dependent factors that  include content expertise, possible journal requirements and the team preferences. As a result, Galter librarians do not advise or assist with quality assessment.