LibGuides: Knowledge Synthesis &amp; Systematic Reviews: SR Tools (2022)

Important Note about SR Tools

KS reviews are complex and the tools and software listed below DO NOT take the place of knowledge or expertise, but instead allow those with knowledge and expertise in SR methodology to work more efficiently. We strongly recommend attending the Systematic Review Workshop Series and reviewing the linked resources for individual review types on the KS Support for Rady Faculty of Health Sciences page before using these tools.

Workshop Slides

Protocol Development

SR Accelerator - Methods Wizard
Allows you to enter in protocol information (e.g., research question, inclusion criteria, study design) that is then generated in an editable standard protocol

Search Development

Ovid Search Builder
Tool available in Ovid databases to build comprehensive searches by searching easily for subject terms and synonyms. Ideal for PICO questions and populated with pre-built filters.
Ovid Term Finder
Available in Ovid MEDLINE and Embase. A search tool that helps you build complex searches by identifying key subject terms, synonyms, etc right from the Advanced Search page
SR Accelerator - Word Frequency Analyser
Counts the frequency of words in pre-identified relevant articles; words that appear frequently should be used when creating your search strategy
Welcome to Medline Trend
Graphs the appearance of search terms in PubMed articles over time. Help to track the emergence and changing popularity of new drugs, technologies, devices, etc over the years
Yale MeSH Analyzer
Enter in the PubMed IDs (PMIDs) of pre-identified relevant articles and get an easy-to-read output of all Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) and author keywords
Yale MeSH Analyzer - Bookmarklet
Add this bookmarklet to your browser to use the Yale MeSH analyzer directly in PubMed

Deduplication & Screening

DistillerDR
A suite of tools for running systematic reviews, that has a deduplication module. Requires subscription
Deduplicator - by SR Accelerator
Deduplication via algorithmic method. Requires Endnote (or other reference management system) that exports XML formatted libraries
SWIFT-ActiveScreener
Online tool for screening. Requires activation from company. Uses statistical modeling to predict which articles are to be included
Abstrackr
Free screening tool from Brown University
ASReview
Desktop screening tool. Requires you to download both the program and Python
Screenatron - by SR Accelerator
Online screening tool. Screen articles individually then us their tool, Disputatron, to resolve conflicts
Disputatron
Tool to use after you have screened articles using Screenatron. Resolves conflicts from screening process
RobotSearch
Filter for finding randomized controlled trials

Citation Review

SpiderCite by SR Accelerator
Tool to do forward and backward searching. Requires that references be attached and uploaded with records.
citationchaser
Does forward and backward searching based on article unique identifiers, i.e., DOIs.
SCOPUS
Article database that includes the articles references as well as "cite by" information

Other SR Tools

Robot Reviewer
Using PDFs, this tool determines risk of bias in RCTs
RevMan 5
Tool for writing meta-analysis. Restrictions may apply
RevMan Replicant
Tool for creating data analysis abstract section using RevMan file.
Good Reports
Find checklists that will help you write your medical research
Systematic Review Toolbox
Online repository of SR tools that can be narrowed down based on task. [Note: site not available as of 04/24 so link is to an archive of site]