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Use the PRISMA 2020 checklist and flow diagram to plan, document, and report a systematic literature review (SLR) in your dissertation. Follow the four‑phase workflow – identification, screening, eligibility, inclusion – and record each step in a PRISMA flowchart. Download the ready‑made template at the end of this guide.
Why a Systematic Review?
A systematic review offers a transparent, reproducible way to synthesize existing research. For a dissertation it:
- Demonstrates scholarly rigour – you follow an internationally recognised standard.
- Identifies gaps – the structured search reveals what has not been studied.
- Builds a solid theoretical foundation – your own contribution is anchored in a comprehensive evidence base.
The PRISMA Framework
PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta‑Analyses) provides:
- 27‑item checklist covering title, objectives, eligibility criteria, search strategy, risk of bias, synthesis methods, and more.
- Flow diagram that visualises the number of records at each stage.
PRISMA Checklist Highlights for Dissertations
| Section | What to Include |
|---|---|
| Title | Identify the review as systematic and state the model (e.g., PRISMA 2020). |
| Eligibility criteria | Define population, intervention, comparison, outcome (PICO) and study design limits. |
| Information sources | List databases (Scopus, Web of Science, ProQuest) and date of last search. |
| Search strategy | Provide full Boolean strings for each database as an appendix. |
| Risk of bias | Choose a tool (e.g., CASP, ROBIS) and summarise assessment. |
| Synthesis | Explain whether you will perform a narrative synthesis or meta‑analysis. |
| Registration | Optionally register the protocol on OSF or PROSPERO. |
Four‑Phase Workflow
- Identification – Run comprehensive searches across multiple databases and grey‑literature sources. Export results to a reference manager (Zotero, EndNote).
- Screening – Remove duplicates, then screen titles/abstracts against inclusion criteria.
- Eligibility – Retrieve full texts and assess them for relevance and quality.
- Inclusion – Finalise the list of studies and extract data.
Practical Tips
- Automate de‑duplication with Zotero’s duplicate detection plugin.
- Document each step in a spreadsheet (author, year, design, key findings).
- Save the PRISMA flow diagram as an image (use the official template from the PRISMA website).
Templates & Resources
- PRISMA 2020 Checklist – https://www.prisma-statement.org/prisma-2020
- Flow Diagram (editable) – https://www.prisma-statement.org/prisma-2020-flow-diagram
- Sample protocol – Register your protocol on OSF (Open Science Framework).
- Reference manager guide – https://www.zotero.org/support/quick_start_guide
Common Pitfalls & How to Avoid Them
| Pitfall | Solution |
|---|---|
| Over‑broad search strings → thousands of irrelevant records | Use specific keywords, Boolean operators, and limit by discipline and year. |
| Ignoring grey literature → bias toward published studies | Search conference proceedings, theses repositories (ProQuest Dissertations), and pre‑print servers. |
| Inconsistent data extraction | Create a standard extraction form and pilot it on three studies. |
| Missing PRISMA items | Run the checklist before writing the chapter; treat it as a manuscript‑ready quality control. |
Decision Framework: When to Use PRISMA
- Use PRISMA if your literature review aims to systematically map all relevant empirical studies.
- Opt for a traditional narrative review when the field is too nascent for systematic coverage or when you need a broad theoretical overview instead of exhaustive evidence.
Final Checklist Before Submission
- [ ] PRISMA checklist completed and attached as Appendix A.
- [ ] Flow diagram generated and placed in Chapter 2.
- [ ] All database search strings saved in a separate document.
- [ ] Risk‑of‑bias assessments summarised in a table.
- [ ] References formatted according to your university’s style guide.
CTA: Need help structuring your systematic review? Contact our Dissertation Writing Service for one‑on‑one guidance and a custom PRISMA template.
