Covidence and Rayyan

Authors

  • Liz Kellermeyer Biomedical Research Librarian, Library and Knowledge Services, National Jewish Health, Denver, CO https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6115-4343
  • Ben Harnke Education and Reference Librarian, Health Sciences Library, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO
  • Shandra Knight Director, Library and Knowledge Services, National Jewish Health, Denver, CO https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4404-3833

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5195/jmla.2018.513

Keywords:

Systematic Reviews, Citation Management, Web Applications, Screening Tools, Resource Review

Abstract

Health sciences librarians from two institutions conducted an assessment of Covidence, a subscription-based systematic review tool, and Rayyan, a free competitor, for abilities, strengths, and limitations. Covidence mirrors the multiphase review process, including data extraction, directly in its design. Rayyan, on the other hand, does not easily mirror this process and really only aids with the reference screening phases. Rayyan takes a minimalist approach, placing more of the logistical and workflow burden on the users themselves. Many of the peripheral features (e.g., highlighting, tagging, etc.) are comparable. Covidence works well and is well suited for more rigorous systematic reviews, where methodology must be adhered to and documented at each stage. In spite of some limited functionality and clunky features, Rayyan is a good free alternative for article screening and works as a viable upgrade from a workflow using only EndNote and/or Excel.

Author Biographies

Liz Kellermeyer, Biomedical Research Librarian, Library and Knowledge Services, National Jewish Health, Denver, CO

Biomedical Research Librarian

Library & Knowledge Services

Ben Harnke, Education and Reference Librarian, Health Sciences Library, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO

Education and Reference Librarian

Health Sciences Library

Shandra Knight, Director, Library and Knowledge Services, National Jewish Health, Denver, CO

Director

Library & Knowledge Services

References

Higgins JPT, Green S, eds. Cochrane handbook for systematic reviews of interventions [Internet]. Version 5.1.0. London, England, UK: Cochrane Collaboration; 2011 [cited 24 Aug 2018]. <http://handbook.cochrane.org>.

Institute of Medicine. Finding what works in health care: standards for systematic reviews. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press; 2011. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.17226/13059.

Shea BJ, Bouter LM, Peterson J, Boers M, Andersson N, Ortiz Z, Ramsay T, Bai A, Shukla VK, Grimshaw JM. External validation of a measurement tool to assess systematic reviews (AMSTAR). PLoS One. 2007;2(12):e1350. http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0001350.

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Published

2018-10-04

Issue

Section

Resource Review