Where you search determines what you find: the effects of bibliographic databases on systematic reviews

Systematic literature reviews are common in social research for integrating and synthesising existing research. This paper argues that the outcomes of such affected by choice bibliographic databases. It presents evidence substantial variation across three large electronic databases (Scopus, Web Science EBSCO) a study on employee retention staff turnover. considers specific articles, numbers returned, shared perceived quality journals hosting retrieved articles. Results show only 130 articles (5.7% 2267 retrieved) were found to all databases, suggesting decisions how where is can substantially affect results systematic meta-analyses. The findings caution against use single claiming comprehensiveness. reflects additional search methods (e.g., contacting experts, citation indices) their sequence review quality.