top of page
Search

#1📌 A Systematic Literature Review: A to Z – Everything You Need to Know

Updated: Jan 30

📢 Introduction: Why Systematic Literature Reviews Matter


In today’s fast-paced research world, systematic literature reviews (SLRs) have become a gold standard for synthesizing evidence across multiple studies. Whether you’re a student, researcher, or professional, mastering SLRs can elevate the quality of your work, ensuring rigor, transparency, and reproducibility.

In this blog, we’ll explore:

✅ What is a Systematic Literature Review and how it differs from other reviews;

✅ Step-by-step guidance on conducting an SLR, including search strategies and screening;

✅ The role of meta-analysis in systematic reviews;

✅ Tools and best practices to streamline your literature review.


By the end of this post, you’ll have a clear roadmap to confidently start your own systematic review!



🔎 What is a Systematic Literature Review (SLR)?


A SLR is a structured, methodical approach to identifying, selecting, and analyzing research studies on a specific topic. Unlike traditional narrative reviews, SLRs follow a predefined protocol to ensure comprehensive and unbiased results.

Key Characteristics of an SLR:

📌 Clearly defined research question (using frameworks like PICO which stands for Population, Intervention, Comparison and, Outcome)

📌 Comprehensive search strategy (covering multiple databases)

📌 Strict inclusion & exclusion criteria for selecting studies

📌 Transparent data extraction & synthesis

📌 PRISMA guidelines for reporting results

🔍 Example: Imagine you want to analyze the effects of motor imagery training on strength development in adults. This is the first SLR I wrote and published as a part of my PhD thesis. The full article is available here Sports Medicine. A well-structured SLR would systematically compile studies, analyze outcomes, and provide evidence-based insights on this topic.


📖 Step-by-Step Guide to Conducting a Systematic Literature Review


1️⃣   Define Your Research Question

Your research question is the foundation of your review.

Use frameworks like:

✅ PICO (Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome) – Ideal for clinical research OR

✅ SPIDER (Sample, Phenomenon of Interest, Design, Evaluation, Research Type) – Useful for qualitative research


🔍 Example:

PICO Question: Does motor imagery training (MIt) improve maximal strength and power in adults?


2️⃣   Develop a Search Strategy & Select Databases

An effective SLR requires a comprehensive search across multiple databases, including:📌 PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Library – for health & life sciences

📌 Google Scholar, IEEE Xplore, PsycINFO – for interdisciplinary research


🔹 Search Strategy Example:

Use Boolean operators to refine searches:🟢 (“motor imagery” OR “mental rehearsal”) AND (“maximal strength” OR “maximal voluntary isometric contraction” OR “MViC”)


🔍 Pro Tip: Document your search terms & database settings to ensure reproducibility!


3️⃣   Screening & Selecting Studies (PRISMA Framework)

After retrieving studies, use the PRISMA flowchart to track:

✅ Duplicates removal

✅ Title & abstract screening

✅ Full-text review based on inclusion/exclusion criteria



4️⃣   Data Extraction & Quality Assessment

Extract key study details such as:

📌Study design, Sample information (size, sex, health status., etc.), intervention (duration, frequency, type of treatment., etc.), outcomes (MViC, body composition characteristics., etc.)📌 Risk of bias assessment (Cochrane’s Risk of Bias tool., etc.)

📌 Methodological quality of included studies (PEDro score., etc.)


🔍 Pro Tip: Use structured templates to streamline this process!


5️⃣   Conducting a Meta-Analysis (If Applicable)

A meta-analysis statistically combines data from multiple studies to quantify the effect and derive a more robust conclusion on the matter.Key steps include:

📌 Calculating effect sizes (Cohen’s d, Hedges’ g, Standardized Mean Difference)

📌 Assessing heterogeneity (I² statistic)

📌 Assessing publication bias (Egger’s regression test, funnel plot)

📌 Conducting sensitivity and sub-group analyses

📌 Creating forest plots (visualization of your MA)

📌 Conducting meta-regression analysis to assess potential moderators of the observed effect


🛠 Tools to Use: Excel, RevMan, SPSS, R (meta, metafor packages), Stata


6️⃣   Writing & Publishing Your Systematic Review

Follow PRISMA guidelines for structuring your review:

✅ Introduction: Why this review matters

✅ Methods: Search strategy, selection criteria

✅ Results: Data synthesis, meta-analysis findings

✅ Discussion: Interpretation, implications for future research


🔍 Where to Publish?



📌 Final Thoughts: Why Systematic Reviews Matter


Conducting an SLR may seem daunting, but with a clear plan and the right tools, you can produce high-impact research that contributes to your field. Whether you’re working in the field of kinesiology, sports science, medicine, or social sciences, mastering systematic reviews and meta-analysis will elevate your research credibility and open new opportunities for publication, collaboration, and changing policy and practice.


🚀 Want more insights? Subscribe to my newsletter for weekly tips on systematic reviews and research best practices!


Author: Assist. Prof. Armin Paravlić, PhD



below you can find Some references of my published SLRs:


1.      PARAVLIĆ, Armin. Establishing reference values for tensiomyography-derived parameters in soccer players : insights from a systematic review, meta-analysis and meta-regression. Biology of Sport. 2025, vol. 42, no. 1, str. 171-192, ilustr. ISSN 2083-1862. https://www.termedia.pl/Establishing-reference-values-for-tensiomyography-derived-r-nparameters-in-soccer-players-insights-from-a-systematic-review-r-nmeta-analysis-and-meta-regression,78,54166,1,1.html, DOI: 10.5114/biolsport.2025.139853. [COBISS.SI-ID 203864835]

2.      TURNŠEK, Gašper, PARAVLIĆ, Armin. Electromechanical efficiency index of skeletal muscle and its applicability : a systematic review. Frontiers in bioengineering and biotechnology. May 2024, vol. 12, art. 1398047, str. 1-11, ilustr. ISSN 2296-4185. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbioe.2024.1398047/full?&utm_source=Email_to_authors_&utm_medium=Email&utm_content=T1_11.5e1_author&utm_campaign=Email_publication&field=&journalName=Frontiers_in_Bioengineering_and_Biotechnology&id=1398047, DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2024.1398047. [COBISS.SI-ID 195094275].

3.      PARAVLIĆ, Armin, ŠLOSAR, Luka, ABAZOVIĆ, Ensar, MARUŠIČ, Uroš. Effects of digital-based interventions on muscular strength in adults : a systematic review, meta-analysis and meta-regression of randomized controlled trials with quality of evidence assessment. Annals of medicine. 2023, vol. 55, no. 1, [article no. ] 2230886, 11 str., ilustr. ISSN 1365-2060. https://doi.org/10.1080/07853890.2023.2230886, DiRROS - Digitalni repozitorij raziskovalnih organizacij Slovenije, DOI: 10.1080/07853890.2023.2230886. [COBISS.SI-ID 160758531].

4.      GLAVAČ, Ana, HADŽIĆ, Vedran, MEULENBERG, Cécil J. W., ABAZOVIĆ, Ensar, VIDEMŠEK, Mateja, BURNIK PAPLER, Tanja, PARAVLIĆ, Armin. The influence of lifestyle interventions and overweight on infertility : a systematic review, meta-analysis, and meta-regression of randomized controlled trials. Frontiers in medicine. 2023, vol. 10, art. 1264947, str. 1-13, ilustr. ISSN 2296-858X. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmed.2023.1264947/full, DiRROS - Digitalni repozitorij raziskovalnih organizacij Slovenije, DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1264947. [COBISS.SI-ID 171375107],

5.      PUŠ, Katarina, PARAVLIĆ, Armin, ŠIMUNIČ, Boštjan. The use of tensiomyography in older adults : a systematic review. Frontiers in physiology. Jun. 2023, vol. 14, article no. 1213993, 11 str., ilustr. ISSN 1664-042X. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2023.1213993, DiRROS - Digitalni repozitorij raziskovalnih organizacij Slovenije, DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1213993. [COBISS.SI-ID 155962883

6.      PARAVLIĆ, Armin, MEULENBERG, Cécil J. W., DROLE, Kristina. The time course of quadriceps strength recovery after total knee arthroplasty is influenced by body mass index, sex, and age of patients = i : systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in medicine. May 2022, vol. 9, art. 865412, str. 1-16, ilustr. ISSN 2296-858X. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2022.865412, DiRROS - Digitalni repozitorij raziskovalnih organizacij Slovenije, Repozitorij Univerze v Ljubljani – RUL, dCOBISS, DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.865412. [COBISS.SI-ID 109287427

7.      ŠLOSAR, Luka, VOELCKER-REHAGE, Claudia, PARAVLIĆ, Armin, ABAZOVIĆ, Ensar, DE BRUIN, Eling D., MARUŠIČ, Uroš. Combining physical and virtual worlds for motor-cognitive training interventions : position paper with guidelines on technology classification in movement-related research. Frontiers in psychology. Dec. 2022, vol. 13, art. 1009052, str. 1-8, ilustr. ISSN 1664-1078. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1009052, DiRROS - Digitalni repozitorij raziskovalnih organizacij Slovenije, Repozitorij Univerze v Ljubljani – RUL, dCOBISS, DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1009.

8.      PARAVLIĆ, Armin. Motor imagery and action observation as appropriate strategies for home-based rehabilitation : a mini-review focusing on improving physical function in orthopedic patients. Frontiers in psychology. Mar. 2022, vol. 13, art. 826476, str. 1-9, ilustr. ISSN 1664-1078. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.826476, DiRROS - Digitalni repozitorij raziskovalnih organizacij Slovenije, Repozitorij Univerze v Ljubljani – RUL, dCOBISS, DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.826476.

9.      TERAŽ, Kaja, ŠLOSAR, Luka, PARAVLIĆ, Armin, DE BRUIN, Eling D., MARUŠIČ, Uroš. Impact of motor-cognitive interventions on selected gait and balance outcomes in older adults : a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Frontiers in psychology. Jun. 2022, vol. 13, art. 837710, str. 1-18, ilustr. ISSN 1664-1078. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.837710, DiRROS - Digitalni repozitorij raziskovalnih organizacij Slovenije, dCOBISS, DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.837710.

10.    PALUDO, Ana Carolina, PARAVLIĆ, Armin, DVOŘÁKOVÁ, Kristýna, GIMUNOVÁ, Marta. The effect of menstrual cycle on perceptual responses in athletes : a systematic review with meta-analysis. Frontiers in psychology. Jul. 2022, vol. 13, art. 926854, str. 1-10, ilustr. ISSN 1664-1078. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.926854, https://dirros.openscience.si/IzpisGradiva.php?id=15299&lang=slv, DiRROS - Digitalni repozitorij raziskovalnih organizacij Slovenije, dCOBISS, DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.926854.

11.    DROLE, Kristina, PARAVLIĆ, Armin. Interventions for increasing return to sport rates after an anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction surgery : a systematic review. Frontiers in psychology. Aug. 2022, vol. [13], art. 939209, str. 1-12, ilustr. ISSN 1664-1078. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.939209, https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.939209/full?+field=&+journalName=Frontiers_+in_+Psychology&+id=939209, https://dirros.openscience.si/admin/GradivoOsnovno.php?id=15413, DiRROS - Digitalni repozitorij raziskovalnih organizacij Slovenije, Repozitorij Univerze v Ljubljani – RUL, dCOBISS, DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.939209.

12.    PARAVLIĆ, Armin, DROLE, Kristina. Opazovanje dejanja kot kognitivno sredstvo za rehabilitacijo po mišično-skeletnih poškodbah. Šport : revija za teoretična in praktična vprašanja športa. 2022, letn. 70, št. 1/2, str. 79-85, ilustr. ISSN 0353-7455. Digitalna knjižnica Slovenije - dLib.si.

13.    BUT-HADŽIĆ, Jasna, DERVIŠEVIĆ, Mirza, KARPLJUK, Damir, VIDEMŠEK, Mateja, DERVIŠEVIĆ, Edvin, PARAVLIĆ, Armin, HADŽIĆ, Vedran, TOMAŽIN, Katja. Six-minute walk distance in breast cancer survivors : a systematic review with meta-analysis. International journal of environmental research and public health. [Online ed.]. 2021, vol. 18, iss. 5, art. 2591, str. 1-13, ilustr. ISSN 1660-4601. https://www.mdpi.com/journal/ijerph, https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/5/2591, Repozitorij Univerze v Ljubljani – RUL, DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18052591.

14.    CHEOUR, Sarah, CHEOUR, Chouaib, BRAGAZZI, Nicola Luigi, ZOU, Liye, PARAVLIĆ, Armin, SLIMANI, Maamer, CHEOUR, Foued. Dose-response relationship between endurance training prescription variables and increases in aerobic performance of healthy and unhealthy middle and very old individuals aged 70 years and older : a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Life. 2021, vol. 11, iss 2, str. 1-11, ilustr. ISSN 2075-1729. https://doi.org/10.3390/life11020121, DiRROS - Digitalni repozitorij raziskovalnih organizacij Slovenije, dCOBISS, DOI: 10.3390/life11020121.

15.    PARAVLIĆ, Armin, TOD, David, MILANOVIĆ, Zoran. Mental simulation practice has beneficial effects on patients' physical function following lower limb arthroplasty : a systematic review and meta-analysis. Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation. [Print ed.]. 2020, vol. 101, iss. 8, str. 1447-1461, ilustr. ISSN 0003-9993. https://www.archives-pmr.org/article/S0003-9993(20)30267-7/fulltext, DOI: 10.1016/j.apmr.2020.04.004.

16.    PARAVLIĆ, Armin, KOVAČ, Simon, PIŠOT, Rado, MARUŠIČ, Uroš. Neurostructural correlates of strength decrease following total knee arthroplasty : a systematic review of the literature with meta-analysis. Bosnian journal of basic medical sciences. 2020, vol. 20, no. 1, str. 1-12, ilustr. ISSN 1512-8601. https://www.bjbms.org/ojs/index.php/bjbms/article/view/3814/1140, DOI: 10.17305/bjbms.2019.3814.

17.    BOGATAJ, Špela, PAJEK, Maja, PAJEK, Jernej, BUTUROVIĆ-PONIKVAR, Jadranka, PARAVLIĆ, Armin. Exercise-based interventions in hemodialysis patients : a systematic review with a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Journal of clinical medicine. 2020, vol. 9, iss. 1, str. 1-22. ISSN 2077-0383. https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/9/1/43, Repozitorij Univerze v Ljubljani – RUL, DOI: 10.3390/jcm9010043.

18.    ZUBAC, Damir, PARAVLIĆ, Armin, REALE, Reid, JELASKA, Igor, MORRISON, Shawnda A., IVANČEV, Vladimir. Fluid balance and hydration status in combat sport Olympic athletes : a systematic review with meta-analysis of controlled and uncontrolled studies. European journal of nutrition. [Print ed.]. 2019, vol. 58, iss. 2, str. 497-514, graf. prikazi, tabele. ISSN 1436-6207. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-019-01937-2, DOI: 10.1007/s00394-019-01937-2.

19.    SLIMANI, Maamer, PARAVLIĆ, Armin, CHAABENE, Helmi, DAVIS, Philip, CHAMARI, Karim, CHEOUR, Foued. Hormonal responses to striking combat sports competition : a systematic review and meta-analysis. Biology of Sport. 2018, vol. 35, iss. 2, str. 121-136, tabele, graf. prikazi. ISSN 0860-021X. https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2018.71601, DOI: 10.5114/biolsport.2018.71601.

20.    SLIMANI, Maamer, PARAVLIĆ, Armin, GRANACHER, Urs. A meta-analysis to determine strength training related dose-response relationships for lower-limb muscle power development in young athletes. Frontiers in physiology. avg. 2018, vol. 9, art. 1155, str. 1-14, ilustr. ISSN 1664-042X. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2018.01155, DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2018.01155.

21.    SLIMANI, Maamer, RAMIREZ-CAMPILLO, Rodrigo, PARAVLIĆ, Armin, HAYES, Lawrence D., BRAGAZZI, Nicola Luigi, SELLAMI, Maha. The effects of physical training on quality of life, aerobic capacity, and cardiac function in older patients with heart failure : a meta-analysis. Frontiers in physiology. nov. 2018, vol. 9, art. 1564, str. 1-13, ilustr. ISSN 1664-042X. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2018.01564, DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2018.01564.

22.    SLIMANI, Maamer, BRAGAZZI, Nicola Luigi, ZNAZEN, Hela, PARAVLIĆ, Armin, AZAIEZ, Fairouz. Psychosocial predictors and psychological prevention of soccer injuries : a systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature. Physical therapy in sport. 2018, vol. 32, str. 293-300, graf. prikazi. ISSN 1466-853X. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ptsp.2018.05.006, DOI: 10.1016/j.ptsp.2018.05.006.

23.    PARAVLIĆ, Armin, SLIMANI, Maamer, TOD, David, MARUŠIČ, Uroš, MILANOVIĆ, Zoran, PIŠOT, Rado. Effects and dose-response relationships of motor imagery practice on strength development in healthy adult populations : a systematic review and meta-analysis. Sports medicine. 2018, vol. 48, iss. 5, str. 1165-1187, ilustr. ISSN 0112-1642. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-018-0874-8, DOI: 10.1007/s40279-018-0874-8.

24.    SLIMANI, Maamer, PARAVLIĆ, Armin, BRAGAZZI, Nicola Luigi. Data concerning the effect of plyometric training on jump performance in soccer players : a meta-analysis. Data in brief. Dec. 2017, vol. 15, str. 324-334, ilustr. ISSN 2352-3409. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.dib.2017.09.054, DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2017.09.054.

25.    PARAVLIĆ, Armin. Physical activity level has a great influence on the nutritional status of adolescents. Human Movement. 2017, vol. 18, iss. 3, str. 3-11, ilustr. ISSN 1732-3991. https://www.degruyter.com/downloadpdf/j/humo.ahead-of-print/humo-2017-0024/humo-2017-0024.pdf, DOI: 10.1515/humo-2017-0024.

Comments

bottom of page