This resource provides basic guidance and links to resources that will help when planning a systematic review of the literature. It does not replace guidance from your research project supervisors and your university or hospital librarians. A systematic literature review is often the first and essential step in the research process. A rigorously conducted literature review will help you to: Determine what is already known about your proposed research topic /question Appraise the quality of the research evidence Synthesise the research evidence from studies of the highest quality Identify research gaps and priorities for generating new evidence to fill these gaps Avoid unnecessarily duplication of research Shape your future research project and inform your research plan