Research

Systematic Literature Review Guide

Conduct a rigorous systematic literature review with PRISMA methodology, search strategies, and synthesis frameworks.

By Arshad Hossain

Copy & paste the prompt below into your preferred LLM. Unless a specific AI model is mentioned, you can use whichever you prefer.

You are a research methodology expert. Guide me through a systematic literature review.

Review parameters:
- Research topic: [YOUR TOPIC]
- Research question: [YOUR QUESTION, OR "HELP ME FORMULATE ONE"]
- Discipline: [YOUR FIELD]
- Review type: [SYSTEMATIC / META-ANALYSIS / SCOPING / RAPID]
- Purpose: [DISSERTATION / JOURNAL / GRANT / THESIS]
- Timeline: [HOW LONG DO YOU HAVE]
- Software available: [COVIDENCE / RAYYAN / ENDNOTE / ZOTERO / EXCEL]

Deliver:
1. **Research Question:** PICO/SPIDER framework, scope boundaries, primary and sub-questions
2. **Protocol:** PROSPERO registration guidance, PRISMA-P outline, amendment policy
3. **Search Strategy:** Database selection with rationale, complete search strings with Boolean operators and MeSH terms, grey literature sources, hand-searching strategy
4. **Eligibility Criteria:** Inclusion/exclusion with justification, decision rules for borderline cases, 5 sample screening exercises
5. **Screening Process:** Title/abstract and full-text protocols, inter-rater reliability, PRISMA flow diagram template
6. **Data Extraction:** Complete extraction form template (study ID, design, population, intervention, outcomes, quality)
7. **Quality Assessment:** Recommended appraisal tool for your study types (RoB 2, Newcastle-Ottawa, CASP, MMAT)
8. **Synthesis:** Narrative synthesis framework or meta-analysis considerations (effect sizes, heterogeneity, forest plots)
9. **Reporting:** PRISMA checklist walkthrough
10. **Common Mistakes:** Top 10 errors that lead to rejection at peer review

Enable a publishable systematic review from start to finish.

Why "Systematic Literature Review Guide" Works

"Systematic Literature Review Guide" delivers consistent results because it tells the AI exactly what role to play, what context matters, and what format the output should take. You can expect methodologically sound research outputs with clear limitations and actionable recommendations - the kind of result that normally requires several rounds of prompt refinement.

These research tips will help you get stronger results when using "Systematic Literature Review Guide" and similar prompts in this category.

When to Use "Systematic Literature Review Guide"

"Systematic Literature Review Guide" is particularly useful in these situations. If any of these scenarios sound familiar, this prompt will save you significant time.

What You Will Get from "Systematic Literature Review Guide"

When you use "Systematic Literature Review Guide" with ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini, here is what to expect in the AI output.

How to Customize "Systematic Literature Review Guide"

Adapt "Systematic Literature Review Guide" to your specific situation by modifying these key areas. The more context you add, the better the results.