Smaro Lazarakis | Clinical Librarian
Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday
ORCID ID 0000-0002-3618-9605
Catherine Voutier | Clinical Librarian
Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday
ORCID ID 0000-0002-1627-0342
Geoff Hill | Clinical Librarian
Monday - Friday
The Clinical and Research Support Service is able to provide support to Melbourne Health staff who are undertaking systematic reviews, literature reviews or other forms of knowledge synthesis.
We can provide advice, support & training during the life cycle of your review. This might include:
Establishment Phase
Checking for existing systematic reviews on your topic
Recommending relevant databases grey literature sources & to be searched
Advising on search strategies
1:1 database instruction consultations
Expert Searching
Developing, conducting, & translating the search across selected databases
Applying validated search filters
Searching for relevant grey literature
Delivering search results in an EndNote library (by request)
De-duplication of search results (by request)
Saving the search in a format allowing editing/updating
Updating the search prior to publication
The Search Methodology
Writing the search methodology using PRISMA
Peer Review
Peer review of search strategies.
Acquiring Full Text
Advising on how to obtain full text articles from the library collection and freely available sources.
Note: For systematic reviews being done as part of a qualification (undergraduate, postgraduate or professional) we do not supply finished searches. We do provide training, advice and feedback on searches to support the development of your research skills to meet contemporary expectations. Please contact us to discuss how we can help you.
To request search assistance, contact our Clinical & Research Support team.
If you have a protocol for your review, please attach a copy with your request.
Our librarians will generally spend from four to eight weeks developing, testing, & completing an initial search as part of the systematic review process, & then will collaborate at need throughout the project. Consequently, only a limited number of systematic reviews can be undertaken in a given timeframe. We will endeavour to assist all staff seeking assistance, however at times, full assistance for new reviews may be limited or postponed.
During the searching phase multiple consultations may be required. Depending on the depth of involvement negotiated, follow up work may also be required at intervals during the process. Although most communication can be conducted via email, face to face consultations will be required.
We can offer a level of support that suits you, from advice on searching, to delivery of search strategies and results management.
Please acknowledge our contribution to your review when publishing.
We request co-authorship if we develop and conduct the literature search, and provide the methodology statement.
The Systematic Review Memorandum of Understanding (file below) should be completed prior to our undertaking substantive support activities.