Literature review

A literature review is a comprehensive synthesis of the existing literature on a particular topic

Reviews come in many shapes and sizes, though (examples range from narrative reviews, and scoping reviews to systematic reviews and meta analyses). The choice of review type depends on the research question and the level of evidence required for a particular study or decision-making process.

DTU Library offers help and advice in relation to several stages in a typical review process.

If you are working on a literature review of some sort and need assistance along the way, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

The nature and extent of our services will vary depending on the nature of your project, but we typically offer support and guidance on issues such as these:

Preliminary stages

  • Guidance on the choice of review type (see examples of review types* )
  • Tips for developing review protocols (e.g. PRISMA-P)

Literature searches

  • Advice on which databases to use
    - for instants PubMED, Scopus or Web of Science
  • Introduction to various search techniques and methods
  • Feedback on search strategies and choice of keywords
  • Advice on translating search strings to match various databases
  • Tips on the retrieval of gray (i.e. non-published) literature
  • Tips for using AI for initial inspiration - including an introduction to the citation tool Site AI
  • Help with setting up search and citation alerts

Documentation and reporting

  • Advice on how to use reference management software (e.g. Mendeley) to manage and document search results
  • Introduction to methods and tools for screening and selection of studies (e.g. Excel and Silvi.ai)
  • Tips on how to document your search results (e.g. Excel, Word and PRISMA flowchart)

Publication

  • Advice on research data management, e.g. tips for writing a data management plan (DMP)
  • Tips on how to make your research visible - and Open Access
  • Introduction to various copyright issues
  • Ideas on how to select the “right” journals - and avoid the dubious ones

If you want assistance from us, please reach out to bibliotek@dtu.dk for a preliminary talk about your review and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

Please note that DTU Library offers various webinars throughout the year on topics related to literature reviews, artificial intelligence, data management, copyright and reference management. Keep an eye on our calendar.

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How can I get started?

If you simply want some ideas on how to get started, here are some tips, tools and tutorials for you to dive into at your own leisure:

Examples of literature

  • Booth, Andrew, Sutton, Anthea, Clowes, Mark and Marrissa Martyn-St James. (2021). Systematic Approaches to a Successful Literature Review (3rd ed.). Sage Publications Ltd.
  • Gusenbauer, M., & Haddaway, N. R. (2020). Which academic search systems are suitable for systematic reviews or meta-analyses? Evaluating retrieval qualities of Google Scholar, PubMed, and 26 other resources. Research Synthesis Methods, 11(2), 181–217. https://doi.org/10.1002/jrsm.1378
  • * Grant, M. J., & Booth, A. (2009). A typology of reviews: An analysis of 14 review types and associated methodologies. Health Information and Libraries Journal, 26(2), 91–108. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1471-1842.2009.00848.x

Websites

Videos

AI tool
The online tool Silvi is provided by DTU Library for all researchers at DTU. It is a Danish-developed screening and data extraction tool based on AI technology, which supports a time-saving, transparent, and documentable process for conducting literature reviews.
Create a DTU account at https://app.silvi.ai/signup and remember to use your DTU email address when signing up.