HSLS Systematic Review Program

HSLS requires submission of a detailed protocol before your project can be assigned to an HSLS librarian. The protocol must be submitted within thirty (30) days of your initial request for assistance or your request will be cancelled.

Your protocol will undergo scientific review by HSLS librarians to determine if it:

• Summarizes current literature on your topic and provides a coherent explanation of how your proposed review will build on and add to that literature
• Meets existing standards for the design and conduct of systematic reviews, scoping reviews, or other types of comprehensive literature reviews
• Provides the information required to develop comprehensive literature searches

After your protocol has been reviewed, you will receive reviewer questions or feedback and you will have the opportunity to revise and re-submit your protocol

• Failure to respond to reviewer feedback will result in cancellation of your request 
• If your protocol is approved, your request will be assigned to an HSLS librarian or be placed on a waiting list to be assigned as soon as possible 
• Due to the large number of requests/protocols we receive, waiting time for protocol reviews or librarian assistance on approved protocols may be several months

1. Watch our short videos about these complex and time-intensive research projects.
2. Use the HSLS SR Form or the HSLS ScR Protocol Form to prepare your protocol. Use of an HSLS form is required. Protocols in other formats will not be reviewed. 
3. Submit your protocol by sending it as an email attachment to SRHSLS@pitt.edu. 

If you are requesting assistance with a review type other than systematic or scoping, contact us (SRHSLS@pitt.edu) for information on the appropriate protocol format.

• We may decline a request for assistance due to limited librarian availability, concerns about project feasibility, or failure to address HSLS reviewer requests for revisions
• If the review is part of a grant application or funded grant, contact our SR Program directly at SRHSLS@pitt.edu to discuss salary support for librarian work on the project
• While we will make every effort to do so, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to adhere to any proposed timeline for a review project unless HSLS was involved in development of that timeline.