Systematic reviews

The university library offers advice and supports you as a researcher in systematically searching for literature as part of your systematic review.

Are you about to search for literature for a systematic review? Or have you already started but need help? We can support you in different ways, at different times during your research.

E-learning Systematically searching for literature

The online training course Compass+: Systematically searching for literature shows you step by step what is involved in setting up and performing a systematic database search. After following the module, you can:

• set up a search question
• formulate search terms
• create a search string
• estimate whether you have enough results

It is useful to do this training course before you start searching for literature.

Workshops systematic literature search (for systematic reviews)

At various times of the year, experts from the library give workshops on systematically searching for literature. You will learn to set up a systematic search strategy and you will receive information about where and how to search. You then apply these skills to your own research question. In the library's calendar you can see when the next workshop is planned.

Workshops are also provided at various courses. Do you want to include a workshop in your curriculum? Please contact the library.

• Upcoming walk-in hours and workshops

  Toepassen

  • 16 Feb

    Walk-In Hours Systematic Searches - 16 February

    16 February 2026 from 14:00 to 15:00

    Do you have questions about setting up an effective search strategy? Visit the library’s walk-in hours about systematically searching for literature.
  • 2 Mar

    Walk-In Hours Systematic Searches - 2 March

    2 March 2026 from 14:00 to 15:00

    Do you have questions about setting up an effective search strategy? Visit the library’s walk-in hours about systematically searching for literature.
    
  • 16 Mar

    Walk-In Hours Systematic Searches - 16 March

    16 March 2026 from 14:00 to 15:00

    Do you have questions about setting up an effective search strategy? Visit the library’s walk-in hours about systematically searching for literature.
  • 30 Mar

    Walk-In Hours Systematic Searches - 30 March

    30 March 2026 from 14:00 to 15:00

    Do you have questions about setting up an effective search strategy? Visit the library’s walk-in hours about systematically searching for literature.
    
  • 13 Apr

    Walk-In Hours Systematic Searches - 13 April

    13 April 2026 from 14:00 to 15:00

    Do you have questions about setting up an effective search strategy? Visit the library’s walk-in hours about systematically searching for literature.

  RSS Find all library training courses here

Tailored advice for researchers

Experts from the university library offer tailored advice to researchers for a systematic search. You can make an appointment for this. During the appointment you will be helped with fine-tuning your search.

Would you like to know more about systematic searching for a systematic review or meta-analysis? Or would you like to review what you heard in a conversation or walk-in hour? Please consult the reference guide (LibGuide).

Reference management

Reference management is the systematic collection, management and use of references to sources. Especially when processing a large number of sources, it is important to do this in a structured way. You can use a reference tool. Check out the Libguide Reference Management for more information.

ASReview: Active Learning for Systematic Reviews

ASReview uses active learning to help you screen large amounts of search results (title-abstract) or text, so you don't have to go through everything manually. This saves you time. Read more on the website of ASReview. You can also download the software here.