LibGuides: Systematic Reviews &amp; Evidence Synthesis: Management and Software

Management and Software Tools

Systematic review management software tools are specifically tailored to the needs of systematic review teams.
These tools can help with data extraction, performing a meta-analysis, tracking team progress, and facilitating communication between members. As indicated below, some of these suggestions are fee-based while others are free. You should also keep in mind that not every tool is appropriate for every kind of synthesis or review.

Note: The University of Victoria holds an institutional license for the web-based software, Covidence, and encourages its researchers to use the platform. Contact your subject librarian for a consultation.

COLANDR
Free, but requires registration and login. Includes review planning and project management tools as well as collaborative screening.
Covidence
Covidence is a web-based platform that streamlines the process of conducting a comprehensive literature review. Subscription to unlimited reviews provided by UVic Libraries. Recommended by Cochrane.
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View UVic's Covidence research guide at https://libguides.uvic.ca/c.php?g=717748&p=5123567
DistillerSR
DistillerSR is an online application designed specifically for the screening and data extraction phases of a systematic review. Fee-based; offers special pricing for students (free for 4 months; $15USD/mo after that) and Cochrane Review Groups.
EPPI-Reviewer 4
Fee-based; offers one-month free trial. Features include data extraction, coding, and meta-analysis.
JBI's System for the Unified Management, Assessment and Review of Information (SUMARI)
A word processor, reference management program, statistical and qualitative data analysis program all in one easy to use web application.
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You must set up a personal Ovid account to use this tool.
JBI - Joanna Briggs Institute
JBI is an international research organisation based in the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences at the University of Adelaide, South Australia. JBI develops and delivers unique evidence-based information, software, education and training designed to improve healthcare practice and health outcomes.
Rayyan
Rayyan is a openly accessible (free) web application to help systematic review authors and has a mobile app (works offline and then syncs back to servers when online).
Systematic Review Data Repository (SRDR)
Free, but requires users to create a login. This systematic review repository also acts as a data extraction tool.
Systematic Review Toolbox
Database of tools and software to assist with a variety of evidence synthesis projects.

Management and Software Review Articles

Can't decide what management tool to use?
Consult the following scholarly articles for comparisons on the above mentioned tools and to see which tool fits your research team's needs best.

A case study on CADIMA and review of existing tools
Kohl, C., McIntosh, E.J., Unger, S. et al. Online tools supporting the conduct and reporting of systematic reviews and systematic maps: a case study on CADIMA and review of existing tools. Environ Evid 7, 8 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13750-018-0115-5
Covidence and Rayyan: A Comparison
Couban, R. (2016). Covidence and Rayyan. Journal of the Canadian Health Libraries Association / Journal De l’Association Des bibliothèques De La Santé Du Canada, 37(3). https://doi.org/10.5596/c16-025
Software tools for literature screening in systematic reviews in biomedical research
van der Mierden, S., Tsaioun, K., Bleich, A. and Leenaars, C. H. C. (2019) “Software tools for literature screening in systematic reviews in biomedical research”, ALTEX - Alternatives to animal experimentation, 36(3), pp. 508-517. doi: 10.14573/altex.1902131.