Search Strategies for Systematic and Scoping Reviews: Workshop Online
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 online 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
Find related drop-in support as well as upcoming open sessions at our classes and workshops page
Contact us at librarylearningteaching@ucc.ie
Optional: Search Clinic (12:30–13:00)
Staying online after the workshop? More time for questions, explore your own searches, databases recomendations
Related LibGuide: Systematic Reviews by Siobhan Bowman
- Date:
- Friday, September 18, 2026
- Time:
- 11:00 - 12:30
- Time Zone:
- UK, Ireland, Lisbon Time (change)
- Online:
- This is an online event. Event URL will be sent via registration email.
- Audience:
- Postgraduates UCC Staff
- Categories:
- Training