Conducting a systematic review takes time, money, and a team of researchers. The goal of any review of this type is to collect and evaluate the best evidence for clinical decision-making, such an endeavour needs to be executed in a manner that ensure accuracy while minimizing bias. A team of individuals with expertise in different aspects of a systematic review can redistribute the workload and avoid errors. Anyone starting a systematic or scoping review should expect that it can take up to two years to complete.
Before you start, ask yourself these few questions:
1. Do I have the time to conduct a systematic/scoping review?
2. Can I assemble a team of experts to help with the review? (i.e. librarian/information specialist, epidemiologist, statistician, content expert, support staff, etc.)
3. Is there enough money to fund a review? (e.g. interlibrary loans, research assistants, specialized software, translators, etc.)
Reference
Lasserson TJ, Thomas J, Higgins JPT. Chapter 1: Starting a review. In: Higgins JPT, Thomas J, Chandler J, Cumpston M, Li T, Page MJ, Welch VA (editors). Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions version 6.3 (updated February 2022). Cochrane, 2022. Available from www.training.cochrane.org/handbook.
Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions
"The Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions is the official guide that describes in detail the process of preparing and maintaining Cochrane systematic reviews on the effects of healthcare interventions. All authors should consult the Handbook for guidance on the methods used in Cochrane systematic reviews. The Handbook includes guidance on the standard methods applicable to every review (planning a review, searching and selecting studies, data collection, risk of bias assessment, statistical analysis, GRADE and interpreting results), as well as more specialised topics (non-randomized studies, adverse effects, complex interventions, equity, economics, patient-reported outcomes, individual patient data, prospective meta-analysis, and qualitative research)."
JBI Manual for Evidence Synthesis
"The JBI Manual for Evidence Synthesis is designed to provide authors with a comprehensive guide to conducting JBI systematic reviews. It describes in detail the process of planning, undertaking and writing up a systematic review using JBI methods. The JBI Manual for Evidence Synthesis should be used in conjunction with the support and tutorials offered at the JBI SUMARI Knowledge Base."