Q: Do I abandon the systematic review I'm working on if a similar one has already been published?
While performing a systematic review, I found an older almost identical review already published. Do I continue with my systematic review and update it for the new data or do I abandon my review and choose another topic? The previously published systematic review is 3 years old. I do not believe that the new data will change the results found in this original review. Do I continue with my review and update it for the newer data or do I give up on this subject matter and choose a different topic for another systematic review? My mentor is unclear as to how to direct me. What would you suggest? Thank you.
If a similar systematic review has already been published, it will be challenging for another review article with limited novelty to get accepted by a journal. Most review articles are difficult to be accepted unless it has findings that provide new insights for future research.
Since you have already spent so much time and effort on this manuscript, I would recommend that you try publishing it. I suggest that you consider revising your article with the latest findings to provide new insights. Although it'll be difficult to publish in the best of journals, you can target a few lesser known journals perhaps, ones with lower impact factor. This will increase the chances of receiving a positive peer-review. Of course, you need to first make sure that your target journal is not a predatory one. Do go through this article before you submit your paper:
Think Check Submit checklist- Selecting the right journal for your research paper [Infographic]
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This content belongs to the Conducting Research Stage