{"id":51,"date":"2021-04-30T13:11:41","date_gmt":"2021-04-30T13:11:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/libraryblogs.is.ed.ac.uk\/asl\/?p=51"},"modified":"2021-05-03T10:59:39","modified_gmt":"2021-05-03T10:59:39","slug":"dissertation-festival-blog-so-what-is-a-systematic-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/libraryblogs.is.ed.ac.uk\/asl\/2021\/04\/30\/dissertation-festival-blog-so-what-is-a-systematic-review\/","title":{"rendered":"Dissertation Festival Blog: So\u2026 what is a systematic review?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/p>\n

Introduction<\/h1>\n

Welcome to the first of three blogs, where I document my Dissertation Festival Experience. For those who don\u2019t know, the Library\u2019s Dissertation Festival<\/a> is a collaborative effort from the\u00a0Library, Digital Skills department and Institute of Academic Development (IAD). They have come together to host a series of virtual sessions spanning over two weeks, providing students with the knowledge and resources to make the most out of their dissertations. Think Tomorrowland, Glastonbury and Coachella but online, free and hosted by the University of Edinburgh. So not quite the same. However, the Dissertation Festival is a fantastic opportunity to learn tips and tricks to help you w<\/span>rite<\/span>, reference<\/span>\u00a0and uncover what support is available to you at the University.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Session<\/h1>\n

The first Dissertation Festival\u00a0session<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>I\u00a0<\/span>participated in\u00a0<\/span>was titled \u201c<\/span>What is a Systematic Review dissertation like?<\/span>\u201d.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>I decided to attend\u00a0<\/span>because\u00a0<\/span>I\u00a0<\/span>was interested in finding out\u00a0<\/span>how systematic reviews\u00a0<\/span>(SR)\u00a0<\/span>differed from other dissertation types.\u00a0<\/span>Luckily<\/span>, this was\u00a0<\/span>th<\/span>orough<\/span>ly covered within the presentation<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>After the first 5 minutes of the event, I was able to explain that the goal of a systematic review<\/span>;\u00a0 to <\/span>answer a specific question\u00a0<\/span>in a topic area using reproducible review princip<\/span>les.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Slide

Slide from Dissertation Festival used to help illustrate where different review approaches sit<\/p><\/div>\n

Other key points of the session include \u201cThe supporting principles of a SR\u201d which highlighted the need for a pre-defined and detailed methodology. This was an important\u00a0topic for<\/span>\u00a0me as I am typically more of a \u2018go-with-the-flow type person<\/span>\u00a0when writing pieces of work. However, now knowing the aims of an SR<\/span>, I am<\/span>\u00a0confident that is not the best strategy. Instead,<\/span>\u00a0you<\/span>\u00a0should\u00a0<\/span>develop a\u00a0clear plan (in advance), have an inclusion criterion\u00a0for studies you are<\/span>\u00a0considering, find ways to avoid bias\u00a0<\/span>and document all your<\/span>\u00a0SR<\/span>\u00a0 activities.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Thoughts and Conclusion<\/h1>\n

I would recommend this session for those who are just about to carry out a dissertation\u00a0or thesis\u00a0<\/span>and don\u2019t <\/span>know where to start. The presentation is designed to help you gain <\/span>a basic level of understanding\u00a0a<\/span>\u00a0SR and\u00a0<\/span>what it\u00a0<\/span>e<\/span>ntails<\/span>. For all<\/span>, you indecisive people\u00a0out there\u00a0<\/span>or those who\u00a0<\/span>don\u2019t know\u00a0<\/span>what<\/span>\u00a0research method<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>to use<\/span>, the pros and cons list shown in the presentation can help you evaluate if this is the right research method for you! Throughout the session, there were lots of valuable pieces of advice and information given. There were also signposts for further knowledge items to help you further your understanding in your own time. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If you are\u00a0interested\u00a0in the session and\u00a0want to\u00a0check it\u00a0out<\/span>,\u00a0you can find it HERE<\/a>! Thanks for checking\u00a0out\u00a0the blog.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Introduction Welcome to the first of three blogs, where I document my Dissertation Festival Experience. For those who don\u2019t know, the Library\u2019s Dissertation Festival is a collaborative effort from the\u00a0Library, Digital Skills department and Institute of Academic Development (IAD). They … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":168,"featured_media":52,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false,"jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false}}},"categories":[18],"tags":[3,14,20,17,21,9,19],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/libraryblogs.is.ed.ac.uk\/asl\/files\/2021\/03\/DFB-SR.png?fit=602%2C338&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pcUES5-P","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":1141,"url":"https:\/\/libraryblogs.is.ed.ac.uk\/asl\/2025\/10\/10\/what-will-you-discover-at-our-discovery-day\/","url_meta":{"origin":51,"position":0},"title":"What will you discover at our Discovery Day?","date":"October 10, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Unlock the potential of your dissertation or thesis at Discovery Day! 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