**Southern Alberta Health Libraries Association**
**(SAHLA)**

On April 12, 2012, SAHLA hosted a workshop titled *Basics of Systematic Review Searching*. The workshop was delivered by Linda Slater, expert researcher and librarian at the University of Alberta John W. Scott Health Sciences Library. Unlike many workshops that deal broadly with the entire review process, Linda's focused closely on the librarian's role in conducting the search. She discussed the differences between Cochrane and non-Cochrane reviews, and offered lots of advanced search tips. Linda also covered research question and strategy development, methodology filters, grey literature searching, and more. She particularly encouraged those undertaking a systematic review to use the PRISMA statement (http://www.prisma-statement.org/) to assist in documentation of the review process.

During the afternoon, the 21 attendees, well-represented across SAHLA's entire membership, learned about the skills necessary to conduct an intensive literature search for the purpose of systematic reviews and meta-analyses. The nature of the computer classroom enabled frequent discussions and provided the opportunity to apply concepts gleaned from the session via a number of interactive practice exercises.

**Marcus Vaska**

SAHLA Vice-President
E-mail: mmvaska@ucalgary.ca