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Exploring Types of Reviews: from Systematic Review, Scoping Review and Met-Analysis: Rayyan

Navigating Literature Reviews: A Comprehensive Guide

Rayyan Overview

Introduction:

Rayyan is a powerful tool designed to streamline the process of systematic reviews and literature synthesis. In this LibGuide, we'll delve into what Rayyan is, how to access it, its advantages and disadvantages, and tips for using Rayyan effectively.

What is Rayyan

Rayyan is a web-based application specifically designed for researchers conducting systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and literature reviews. It offers features that facilitate the screening, selection, and organization of relevant studies from various databases.

Rayyan Systematic Review Tutorial:

Learn how to conduct a systematic review using Rayyan. This tutorial covers essential steps, including data sampling, collaboration, and making inclusion/exclusion decisions. Watch the tutorial here.

How to Access Rayyan

  1. Visit the Rayyan website (https://rayyan.qcri.org).
  2. Sign up for an account if you don't have one.
  3. Log in to your account to start using Rayyan.

Quick Start Guide:

  • Explore quick tips and features to enhance your Rayyan experience. Topics include data sampling, duplicate detection, and more. Check out the Quick Start section.

Advantages of Rayyan

  1. Efficiency: Rayyan automates the process of screening and selecting relevant studies, saving researchers valuable time.
  2. Collaboration: It enables seamless collaboration among team members, allowing multiple researchers to work on the same project simultaneously.
  3. Integration: Rayyan integrates with popular reference management tools like Zotero and Mendeley, enhancing workflow efficiency.
  4. Accessibility: Being a web-based application, Rayyan is accessible from any device with an internet connection, making it convenient for researchers to work from anywhere.

Disadvantages of Rayyan

  1. Learning Curve: Some users may find Rayyan initially complex to navigate, especially if they are not familiar with systematic review processes.
  2. Limited Customization: While Rayyan offers various customization options, some users may find certain features lacking compared to more specialized systematic review software.
  3. Internet Dependency: Rayyan's reliance on an internet connection may pose challenges for researchers working in environments with limited or unreliable internet access.

How to use Rayyan

  1. Familiarize Yourself: Take the time to explore Rayyan's features and functionalities before diving into your project.
  2. Import References: Utilize Rayyan's reference import feature to easily import citations from databases or reference management tools.
  3. Screening Process: Define clear inclusion and exclusion criteria before starting the screening process. Utilize Rayyan's tagging and labeling features to organize and categorize studies efficiently.
  4. Collaborate: If working in a team, utilize Rayyan's collaboration features to divide tasks and streamline communication among team members.
  5. Regular Backups: Regularly export your project data to ensure that your work is safely backed up and can be easily restored if needed.

Step-by-Step Guide to Rayyan

How-To Guides:

  • Dive deeper into Rayyan’s capabilities with these how-to guides. Learn about reviewer management, efficient literature review techniques, and interface customization. Access the guides here.

Tips and Tricks:

  • Discover advanced tips and hidden features. Use Rayyan’s AI engine, organize your review team, and customize your workspace. Explore the Tips and Tricks section.

Rayyan Packages

Free Version:

  • Basic features including importing citations, screening studies, and collaboration with team members.
  • Limited storage space for projects and references.
  • Access to essential functionalities for conducting systematic reviews and literature synthesis.

 

 

Premium Version:

  • Expanded storage capacity for projects and references, allowing users to work on larger-scale reviews.
  • Advanced customization options for screening criteria and data extraction.
  • Priority customer support for troubleshooting and assistance.
  • Integration with additional reference management tools and databases.
  • Enhanced security and data privacy features.

 

Enterprise Version:

  • Tailored solutions for institutions, organizations, or large research teams.
  • Customizable features and workflows to align with specific research needs and requirements.
  • Dedicated account management and training resources.
  • Institutional-level data management and administrative controls.
  • Advanced analytics and reporting capabilities for tracking project progress and outcomes.
  • Integration with institutional systems and platforms.

How to Reference Rayyan

Rayyan Citation

Mourad Ouzzani, Hossam Hammady, Zbys Fedorowicz, and Ahmed Elmagarmid. “Rayyan — a web and mobile app for systematic reviews.” Systematic Reviews (2016) 5:210, DOI: 10.1186/s13643-016-0384-4.