Step-by-Step Guide to Writing a Systematic Literature Review (SLR)
A Systematic Literature Review (SLR) is one of the most rigorous ways to synthesize existing research. Unlike a traditional literature review, which can be selective and narrative, an SLR follows a structured, transparent, and replicable process to identify, evaluate, and summarize all relevant studies on a specific research question.
For doctoral candidates, mastering the SLR process is essential. It strengthens your PhD thesis writing, demonstrates your ability to critically engage with the literature, and often results in a publishable review paper. Whether you are in the early stages of research topic selection or deep into your PhD research, this guide will walk you through the SLR process step-by-step, using examples from engineering and medical fields, and highlight tools like PRISMA to ensure quality and transparency.
Define a Clear Research Question
The foundation of any SLR is a well-defined research question. It should be specific enough to guide your search but broad enough to capture all relevant studies.
Frameworks like PICO (Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome) in medical research or SPIDER (Sample, Phenomenon of Interest, Design, Evaluation, Research type) in qualitative engineering studies can help refine your question.
Develop a Review Protocol
A review protocol acts as your blueprint, ensuring consistency and reducing bias. It should include:
- Objectives of the review
- Inclusion/Exclusion Criteria (e.g., publication years, study types, languages)
- Databases to be searched
- Search Strategy (keywords, Boolean operators)
- Data Extraction Plan
- Quality Assessment Methods
Conduct a Comprehensive Literature Search
Search multiple databases to ensure coverage. In engineering, you might use IEEE Xplore, Scopus, and Web of Science. In medical research, PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase are common.
Document your search strategy in detail — this is where PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) becomes essential.
Screen and Select Studies
Screening is typically done in two stages:
- Title and Abstract Screening – Remove irrelevant studies quickly.
- Full-Text Screening – Apply your inclusion/exclusion criteria in detail.
Extract and Organize Data
Create a structured data extraction sheet to capture:
- Author(s) and year
- Study design
- Sample size and characteristics
- Intervention or technology used
- Key findings
- Limitations
Assess Study Quality
Not all studies are equally reliable. Use quality appraisal tools to assess methodological rigor.
This step ensures your synthesis is based on high-quality evidence — critical for PhD thesis writing.
Synthesize the Findings
Your synthesis can be:
- Qualitative (Narrative): Summarizing patterns, themes, and trends.
- Quantitative (Meta-Analysis): Statistically combining results.
Report Using PRISMA Guidelines
PRISMA ensures transparency and replicability. Include:
- A flow diagram showing the number of studies identified, screened, included, and excluded (with reasons).
- A checklist confirming all essential elements are reported.
Write the Review Paper
When integrating your SLR into your PhD thesis writing or preparing it as a review paper:
- Introduction: Context, rationale, and research question.
- Methods: Detailed protocol, search strategy, and selection process.
- Results: Study characteristics, quality assessment, and synthesis.
- Discussion: Interpretation of findings, implications, and limitations.
- Conclusion: Summary and recommendations for future research.
Tools to Streamline the SLR Process
- Reference Management: Zotero, Mendeley, EndNote
- Screening: Rayyan
- Data Extraction: Excel, Covidence
- Visualization: PRISMA flow diagrams, forest plots, thematic maps
Final Thoughts
A well-executed SLR is more than an academic exercise — it’s a cornerstone of credible PhD research. By following a structured process, using tools like PRISMA, and drawing on high-quality engineering or medical studies, you can produce a literature review that not only strengthens your PhD thesis writing but also stands as a valuable review paper in its own right.
With the right PhD guidance of our Aura Research, your SLR can become a publication-worthy contribution to your field, setting the stage for impactful research and a strong doctoral thesis.
Need Expert Help?
If you’re still unsure about your Systematic Literature Review, our team of experienced academic writers and mentors can provide personalized PhD guidance. From refining your PhD research idea to complete SLR support, we’re here to make your research journey smoother and more successful. We encourage you to get in touch with Aura Research and speak with one of our domain experts. You may reach us at +91 9344715713.
