Systematic & Scoping Reviews

Need help with your systematic or scoping review?  Book a consult with a librarian on the Western Libraries Systematic and Scoping Review Team.

This service is available for all Western students, staff, and faculty.

Please note, if you are a student and new or newer to research, it will be mandatory for you to complete a Research Training Package prior to meeting with the librarian.

The Western Libraries Systematic and Scoping Review Team is happy to assist you at any time throughout the systematic or scoping review process. However, we highly recommend you meet with us at the beginning to ensure you are on the proper path to a successful review.

If you determine a systematic or scoping review is NOT currently the right path for you and you need research support, please fill out the research consultation form.

If you are a faculty member completing a systematic or scoping review and would like to include a Librarian in your research team, please click Partner with a Librarian.

Consultation Service

• A librarian will provide a consultation on how to conduct a comprehensive search strategy. 
• The librarian will not be a team member nor create the search strategies.
• Advises on search strategy which incorporates key terms and concepts (patron has actual references and a search history you can view)
• Helps reconfigure search question / make sure it’s focused.
• Meets with research team to clarify search question, identify key terms and concepts, databases to be searched and types of published studies to be located (including grey literature).
• Instructs on how to keep track of work done (eg. Reminders for saving searches, reference management software, prisma flow chart awareness or other tools)
• Helps with modification of search strategy across databases (eg. Proper syntax)

*Note: Faculty are not required to complete the mandatory Research Training Package prior to meeting with the librarian.

Request a Consultation