Search Strategies for Systematic and Scoping Reviews: Workshop In-Person
For anyone conducting a systematic, scoping, or structured literature search
We recommend completing the Library Canvas module Literature Review – Introduction to Searching the Literature in advance.
This hands-on workshop covers the key skills needed to plan, build, and document a search strategy for a systematic or scoping review. Whether you are just starting out or are midway through a review, this session will help you consolidate your approach and work more confidently with library databases.
We will cover:
- Scoping your topic and identifying key concepts and search terms
- Using controlled vocabulary (e.g. MeSH, CINAHL headings) alongside keywords
- Constructing and running a search strategy in a relevant database (e.g. CINAHL, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Scopus)
- Recording and exporting results, and managing references using your reference management software (e.g. Zotero)
- Importing results into Covidence and beginning title/abstract screening, available to all UCC researchers through our institutional licence
By the end of the session you should be able to:
- Identify the key databases for your review
- Develop a search strategy using both controlled vocabulary and free-text terms
- Apply and document a search strategy in a relevant database
- Export results and import them into Covidence for screening
Optional: Search Clinic (12:30–13:30)
Staying on after the workshop? Bring your own search and work on it with support. This drop-in clinic is open to workshop attendees who would like feedback on their search strategy, help troubleshooting a database, or guidance on next steps. No additional registration required, just stay on after the session.
Find details of related drop-ins as well as upcoming open sessions at our classes and workshops page
Contact us at librarylearningteaching@ucc.ie
Related LibGuide: Systematic Reviews by Siobhan Bowman
- Date:
- Tuesday, July 28, 2026
- Time:
- 11:00 - 12:30
- Time Zone:
- UK, Ireland, Lisbon Time (change)
- Location:
- Research Skills Teaching Room
- UCC Library:
- Boole Library
- Audience:
- Postgraduates UCC Staff UCC Undergraduates
- Categories:
- Training
-
Directions: The Research Skills Teaching Room is on Floor Q-1 (the basement level) of the Boole Library. If you go through the double doors to the left of the Security Desk near the library entrance, and then down the stairs, the room is a short way along the corridor on your left.
Important - Here are some important steps you must complete in advance of your attendance at the session :
1. Please connect any smartphones/iPhones/laptops/other devices you have to the university's Wi-Fi network 'eduroam'. This will be needed to authenticate yourself when accessing Library resources in the session. Guidance on connecting to 'eduroam' is available from the Boole or Brookfield Libraries.
2a. Please install the Microsoft Authenticator app on your smartphone. For iOS/Apple devices click here to download the app and for Android devices, click here to download the app. As there is very limited or no phone signal available, the app is necessary to ensure you can log into Library resources during the session's activities i.e. you won’t be able to complete MFA via text message or voice call.
2b: Please log into https://mysignins.microsoft.com/security-info with your UCC credentials and click the +Add sign-in method. Choose the Microsoft Authenticator option and follow the short 3 steps to complete the registration of your app. For detailed instructions please visit , https://www.ucc.ie/en/it/services/mfa/, and you may contact Student IT for further assistance at: https://www.ucc.ie/en/sit/