Galter: How to Use Rayyan for Systematic Reviews

Systematic reviews are essential for evidence-based research, ensuring that a topic is comprehensively analyzed by including relevant studies. The Galter Health Sciences Library, a trusted resource for Northwestern University researchers, often recommends tools to streamline the systematic review process. One of the most powerful tools for researchers is Rayyan, a web-based and mobile application designed for screening references quickly and efficiently.

This article will walk you through how to use Rayyan effectively in collaboration with Galter resources for conducting systematic reviews.

What is Rayyan?

Rayyan is a free web-based tool designed to help researchers manage and screen references during systematic reviews. It is particularly useful for collaborative research teams, enabling users to:

• Screen references more quickly through intuitive filtering.
• Conduct blinded screening to avoid bias.
• Work in teams with multiple reviewers.
• Export results seamlessly to other systematic review tools.

Rayyan supports the inclusion/exclusion process for studies, saving researchers time and increasing efficiency.

Step-by-Step Guide: Using Rayyan

Here’s a practical step-by-step guide on how to use Rayyan for systematic reviews, integrating resources like Galter Health Sciences Library.

Step 1: Setting Up Rayyan

1. Access Rayyan
   • Go to the official Rayyan website: https://rayyan.ai.
   • Create a free account or log in if you already have one.
2. Create a New Project
   • On the dashboard, click “New Review.”
   • Give your project a title and description to describe the topic of your systematic review.
   • Click Create to start your new project.
3. Invite Collaborators
   • Systematic reviews often require multiple reviewers to assess studies independently.
   • Go to the Collaborators tab in Rayyan. Enter the email addresses of your team members to invite them to the project.

Step 2: Importing References

1. Export References from Databases
   • Use library resources like PubMed, Web of Science, or CINAHL through Galter to search for studies related to your review topic.
   • Export the references in a RIS, BibTeX, or EndNote XML format. These are supported by Rayyan.
2. Upload to
   • Navigate to your Rayyan project and click Import References.
   • Upload the exported file(s). Rayyan will automatically import and display the references for screening.
3. Tip: If you have multiple reference files from different databases, Rayyan can identify duplicates automatically, saving you time.

Step 3: Screening References

Rayyan’s most powerful feature is its blinded and efficient screening process. Here’s how to screen references:

1. Blinded Mode
   • Turn on Blinded Mode to ensure reviewers cannot see each other’s decisions. This minimizes bias.
2. Inclusion/Exclusion Decisions
   • Read the titles and abstracts of each study.
   • Click Include, Exclude, or Maybe based on relevance.
   • Use Tags to label references (e.g., “RCTs,” “Cohort Studies”) and organize them better.
3. Custom Filtering
   • Use Rayyan’s Filters to screen faster. You can filter by keywords, authors, or journals to refine results.
   • This allows reviewers to focus on the most relevant studies first.

Step 4: Resolving Conflicts

After all reviewers have completed their screening, conflicts need to be resolved.

1. Identify Conflicts
   • Rayyan will flag studies where reviewers disagreed (e.g., one included a study while another excluded it).
2. Discuss and Resolve
   • Review these flagged studies together and determine the final inclusion/exclusion decision.
   • Use the comments section within Rayyan to document your reasoning for resolving conflicts.
3. Finalize Decisions
   • Once all conflicts are resolved, finalize the list of included studies.

Step 5: Exporting Results

1. Export Your Decisions
   • Go to the Export tab in Rayyan.
   • Choose your preferred format (e.g., CSV, RIS, EndNote XML) to export included references.
2. Integrate with Other Tools
   • If you are using other tools like Covidence or Excel, you can seamlessly upload your finalized reference list for the next stages of your systematic review (e.g., full-text review or data extraction).

Tips for Efficient Use of Rayyan

• Use Tags Wisely: Organize your references with clear and consistent tags.
• Practice Regular Communication: Collaborate with team members to ensure everyone understands the inclusion/exclusion criteria.
• Take Advantage of Rayyan’s Mobile App: Screen references on the go for increased productivity.
• Galter Support: Reach out to the Galter Health Sciences Library for expert advice on systematic review methodologies or advanced database searches.

Why Use Rayyan with Galter Library Resources?

The Galter Library provides access to high-quality databases, systematic review guides, and librarian expertise. By combining these resources with, you streamline your workflow and improve the quality of your systematic review.

Benefits include:

• Access to comprehensive, up-to-date literature.
• Efficient screening using Rayyan’s intuitive interface.
• Collaboration among research teams with minimal bias.
• Time savings during the reference management process.

Conclusion

Rayyan is a powerful and user-friendly tool for managing the systematic review process. With Galter Health Sciences Library’s support and Rayyan’s features, researchers can efficiently screen references, collaborate with team members, and ensure high-quality systematic reviews. Whether you’re a seasoned researcher or a novice, Rayyan simplifies the often laborious process of inclusion/exclusion screening, allowing you to focus on extracting meaningful insights from the literature.

For further assistance, don’t hesitate to consult Galter librarians or explore Rayyan’s tutorials to maximize your systematic review efficiency.