A systematic review is a “scientific investigation that focuses on a specific question and uses explicit, planned scientific methods to identify, select, assess, and summarize the findings of similar but separate studies. It may or may not include a quantitative synthesis of the results from separate studies (meta-analysis).”
Source: Finding What Works in Health Care, published by the Institute of Medicine in 2011.
From Cochrane, this short video provides an introduction to systematic reviews.
PubMed Tips:
The following UC Davis Library Guides provide detailed guidance about systematic review methods and tools.