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Primary Purpose: The primary objective of conducting a systematic literature review is to collate and
synthesize existing research on a particular topic or question in a methodical, transparent, and
reproducible manner. This approach ensures the identification, evaluation, and interpretation of all
relevant studies on the topic, thereby providing a critical foundation for the advancement of knowledge
and informing future research directions.

2. Years of Research Coverage: A systematic literature review typically encompasses a comprehensive

time frame that is determined by the research question's scope. There is no universally mandated duration;
however, it often spans several years to ensure the inclusion of foundational and contemporary studies
alike, thus offering a thorough overview of the topic's evolution.

3. True or False: A systematic literature review should focus only on the most recent studies.
Focus on Recent Studies: False. While recent studies are integral, a systematic literature review's
hallmark is its comprehensive scope, encompassing both recent and foundational research to provide a
holistic understanding of the topic.

4.Benefits before a Master's Thesis: Conducting a systematic literature review prior to commencing a
master's thesis provides a robust understanding of the research landscape, identifies gaps in existing
knowledge, and informs the research question. It ensures the thesis is grounded in a solid understanding
of the field, thereby enhancing its relevance and contribution to the discipline.

5. How does a systematic literature review Demonstration of Understanding: A systematic literature

review demonstrates a researcher's comprehensive understanding of their field by showcasing their ability
to critically evaluate existing literature, synthesize diverse findings, and identify research gaps. This
process evidences the researcher’s adeptness in navigating the complexity of their discipline.

6.Key Databases/Search Engines: Relevant articles for a systematic literature review can be sourced
from various databases and search engines, including PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, IEEE Xplore,
and Google Scholar, among others. The selection of databases should align with the research topic's
disciplinary focus.

7. In a systematic review, how many articles should be included for each keyword search?
The number of articles included for each keyword search is not fixed; it depends on the search strategy's
comprehensiveness and the inclusion/exclusion criteria. The aim is to ensure a thorough coverage rather
than adhere to a predetermined number.

8. What guidelines should be followed for properly citing sources in a systematic literature review?
Citing Sources: Sources in a systematic literature review should be cited following the prescribed
academic style guide (e.g., APA, MLA, Chicago) relevant to the researcher's field. Proper citation is
imperative for acknowledging intellectual property, ensuring academic integrity, and facilitating readers'
access to the original sources.

9.Importance of Checking for Plagiarism: Checking for plagiarism before submitting a systematic
literature review is crucial to uphold academic integrity. It ensures that all sources are appropriately
credited and that the review contributes original value to the field.

10. True or False: A good systematic literature review should be at least 10 pages long.
Length of the Review: False. The length of a systematic literature review should be dictated by the depth
and breadth of the topic, the volume of relevant literature, and the requirements of the publication or
academic program. There is no minimum length; comprehensiveness and quality are paramount

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11. Role of the Matrix/Excel File: A matrix or Excel file facilitates the organization, categorization, and
synthesis of data extracted from research articles. It enables researchers to systematically compare and
analyze findings, methodologies, and gaps across studies.

12.Identifying Gaps for Further Research: A systematic literature review identifies gaps or under-
researched areas by comprehensively analyzing existing literature. This process reveals inconsistencies,
limitations, and unexplored dimensions within the field, thereby guiding future research endeavors.

13.Types of Studies/Articles Included: Typically, a systematic literature review includes peer-reviewed

journal articles, conference papers, and sometimes grey literature (e.g., theses, reports) that meet the
inclusion criteria. The review focuses on empirical studies, theoretical frameworks, and methodological
papers relevant to the research question.

14. How does a systematic approach differ from a traditional narrative literature review?
Systematic vs. Narrative Review: A systematic literature review differs from a traditional narrative
review in its methodological rigor, predefined protocol, and replicability. It employs a structured
approach to literature search, selection, and synthesis, aiming for an unbiased and comprehensive
analysis. In contrast, a narrative review provides a more subjective overview of the literature, often
without a specified search strategy or inclusion criteria.

15. Key Steps in Conducting: Conducting a rigorous systematic literature review involves several key
steps: defining a clear research question, developing a protocol, conducting a comprehensive literature
search, applying inclusion/exclusion criteria, extracting and synthesizing data, and reporting the findings
in a structured manner.

16. Why is it beneficial to use a checklist or reporting standard for systematic reviews?
Use of Checklist/Reporting Standard: Utilizing a checklist or reporting standard, such as PRISMA,
enhances the systematic review's transparency, reproducibility, and quality. These tools guide researchers
in documenting the review process and ensuring adherence to best practices.

17. How can a systematic review provide justification for proposed research?
Justification for Proposed Research: A systematic review provides justification for proposed research
by highlighting existing knowledge, identifying gaps, and demonstrating the need for further
investigation. This evidence-based approach strengthens the rationale for the proposed study.

18. True or False: IEEE Xplore is a recommended database for finding computer science research
IEEE Xplore Recommendation: True. IEEE Xplore is highly recommended for finding computer
science research articles, offering extensive access to technical literature in electrical engineering,
computer science, and related disciplines.

19. What are some potential limitations or critiques of relying solely on a systematic literature review?
Limitations/Critiques: Relying solely on a systematic literature review has potential limitations,
including the possibility of publication bias, language bias, and the exclusion of grey literature. These
factors may limit the comprehensiveness of the review and the generalizability of its findings.

20. How can a systematic literature review contribute to the advancement of knowledge in a field?
Contribution to Advancement of Knowledge: A systematic literature review contributes to the
advancement of knowledge by synthesizing existing research in a structured and critical manner. It
provides a foundation for developing new hypotheses, designing future studies, and informing policy and
practice within the field.

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1.Selection/Exclusion Criteria: The criteria for selecting or excluding studies in a systematic literature
review should be directly tied to the research question and objectives. These criteria might include the
study's design, population, outcomes measured, publication date range, and language of publication.
Such parameters ensure relevance and quality of the included studies.

2.PRISMA Statement: The PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-
Analyses) Statement guides the reporting of systematic literature reviews by providing a checklist and
flow diagram to ensure transparent and complete reporting of the review process, findings, and
methodology. This standard aids in the assessment of the review's quality and reliability.

3.Meta-analysis vs. Systematic Review: A meta-analysis is a statistical technique used to combine and
analyze data from multiple studies found in a systematic literature review, aiming to ascertain patterns,
effects, and outcomes across study results. Conversely, a systematic literature review is broader,
encompassing the identification, selection, evaluation, and synthesis of all relevant studies on a
particular topic to answer a specific research question, with or without a meta-analysis.

4.Quality Assessment Process: Conducting a quality assessment of included studies involves evaluating
their methodological soundness and bias risk using predefined criteria. This step is critical to ascertain
the strength of the evidence provided by the studies and to ensure that conclusions drawn from the
review are based on high-quality data.

5.Importance of a Clear Research Question: Defining a clear research question at the outset is critical
because it guides the entire review process, from the literature search strategy to the inclusion/exclusion
criteria and the analysis of findings. A well-formulated question ensures that the review remains focused
and relevant to the field.

6.Managing Publication Bias: Researchers can manage publication bias by including both published and
unpublished (grey literature) studies, conducting comprehensive searches across multiple databases,
and using explicit, reproducible inclusion and exclusion criteria. This approach minimizes the impact of
selective publication of results.

7.Software Tools Facilitation: Software tools facilitate the systematic review process by aiding in
literature search, study selection, data extraction, and reference management. Tools like Covidence,
Rayyan, and EndNote can streamline workflows, enhance collaboration among reviewers, and ensure
accuracy in data handling.

8.Comprehensive Search Strategy Importance: Developing a comprehensive search strategy is crucial to

ensure that all relevant studies are identified, regardless of their publication status or language. This
strategy should include a wide range of databases, search engines, and grey literature sources, along
with carefully constructed search terms and Boolean operators.

9.Synthesizing Findings Across Studies: A systematic literature review synthesizes findings across diverse
studies to draw comprehensive conclusions about the research question, identify consistencies and
discrepancies among study results, and provide a clearer understanding of the topic's state of
knowledge.

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10.Study Protocol Role: The study protocol in a systematic literature review outlines the rationale, hypothesis,
objectives, methodology, and planned analyses before the review is conducted. This document ensures that the
review is conducted systematically and transparently, serving as a roadmap for the review process.

11.Including Grey Literature: Including grey literature, such as theses, dissertations, and reports, in a
systematic literature review is significant because it can reduce publication bias and provide access to
additional data and perspectives that might not be available in published sources.

12.Addressing Discrepancies Between Studies: Discrepancies between study findings should be

addressed by critically evaluating the methodological differences, sample characteristics, and
measurement tools across the studies. Such an analysis helps to understand the reasons behind
divergent results and to contextualize the findings within the broader research landscape.

13.Essential Elements in Methodology Section: The methodology section of a systematic literature

review should include the review's objectives, criteria for study selection, search strategy, data extraction
process, quality assessment methods, and analytical techniques. This detailed description ensures the
review's reproducibility and transparency.

14.Impact of Language Bias: Language bias can impact the findings of a systematic literature review by
excluding non-English studies, potentially omitting relevant data. To mitigate this bias, reviewers should
consider including studies in multiple languages and using translation services when necessary.

15.Ensuring Transparency and Reproducibility: Transparency and reproducibility in a systematic

literature review can be ensured by providing a comprehensive description of the review process,
following reporting standards like PRISMA, making the protocol available, and using systematic methods
for literature search, selection, and synthesis.

16.Peer Review Role: Peer review plays a critical role in the systematic review process by providing an
external evaluation of the review's methodology, findings, and conclusions. This scrutiny ensures the
review's quality, credibility, and contribution to the field.

17.Data Extraction and Error Avoidance: Researchers should handle data extraction with systematic,
standardized forms and procedures, often involving multiple reviewers to check for consistency and
accuracy, thereby minimizing errors and ensuring reliable data synthesis.

18.Challenges of Updating: Updating a systematic literature review faces challenges such as the need to
replicate the original search and selection processes, integrating new studies, and potentially revising
conclusions. Overcoming these challenges requires a predefined plan for periodic updates, consistent
methodology, and dedicated resources.

19.Influence on Policy Making and Practice: A systematic literature review can influence policy making
and practice by providing a comprehensive, evidence-based overview of the research on a particular
topic. Policymakers and practitioners can use these insights to inform decisions, strategies, and
guidelines that are grounded in the best available evidence.

20.Dissemination Strategies: Effective dissemination strategies for a systematic literature review include
publishing in open-access journals, presenting findings at conferences, summarizing key insights for
policy briefs, and engaging with stakeholders through social media and professional networks. These
approaches ensure that the review reaches a broad audience and has a tangible impact on the field.

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