I am planning a systematic review, but I'm a bit confused on what should make up the searched articles. I have used my inclusion criteria to select articles e.g. A, B, C and D. Meanwhile, Three of these articles have already appeared in the section 2 (related literature/literature review) of my study. I'm wondering whether it is right to again use the articles as part of the search results.
Oluwaseun - it is fine that your 'key' studies also appear in the introduction and discussion of your study. They may well make key points to set the earlier context and the later context. However, with many systematic lit reviews, the key citations are left purely for the later reporting/findings stage
Normally, your collected articles appear in other sections of the review. The vital point is to explain your methodology in detail. You may list the collected articles for transparency issues as well.
Thank you Dean, Davide and Rami. It got me thinking for to long what to do. Its clearer now. I guess I can go on
Yes, it should be possible as long as it really is part of your collected studies out of the databases. However, I would recommend mentioning or show the result/outcomes of those studies in your result/discussion section.