Self-Assessment Checklist for Your SLR Search

This checklist, adapted from vom Brocke et al. (2015), helps you evaluate whether your search meets the standards of rigor expected in a systematic review. Use it at three stages: before you search, while searching, and after completing your search.

Before the Literature Search

• I have developed an understanding of the topic through preliminary reading
• I have justified why a literature review is necessary (addressed in my protocol background section)
• I have defined an appropriate search scope (inclusion/exclusion criteria are documented)
• I have assessed the feasibility and coverage of my planned search (tested search strings, confirmed database access)

During the Literature Search

• I tested alternative search approaches (tried different combinations of terms, checked controlled vocabulary)
• I used justifiable search techniques and parameters (Boolean operators, truncation, filters documented)
• I applied appropriate criteria for inclusion and exclusion consistently
• I documented every search in my logbook (database, date, string, results count)

After the Literature Search

• I assessed the sensitivity and specificity of my search (did it retrieve known-relevant papers? did it exclude obviously irrelevant ones?)
• I rigorously documented the search process and results (logbook complete, PRISMA numbers recorded)
• I compared my results with those of other reviews on similar topics (if available)
• I collected feedback from my supervisor on the search strategy and results

Reference: vom Brocke, J. et al. (2015). Standing on the shoulders of giants: Challenges and recommendations of literature search in information systems research. Communications of the Association for Information Systems, 37. doi:10.17705/1CAIS.03709