Intro to Review Literature

If you have already decided to do a scoping or systematic review and have questions, please read over the Systematic Review LibGuide.

If you need search help, for a narrative literature take a look at the "What's my search strategy section" and consider requesting a librarian appointment. You can find your subject specialist or if you have an interdisciplinary topic, you can make a general appointment request. While some librarians may have drop-in times, it is best to give three working days advance notice on a request.

If you have general questions, or would like to contact the author of this guide, see the "Your Librarian" box, bottom left.

If you are considering authoring a review article, and have not decided on the type, take a look at the "What kind of review fits my research?" section.

• Critiques and summarizes a body of literature
• Identifies trends in the literature, not specific elements of research.

• Conclusions often relate to the scope of literature, or needs for research -- e.g., " there is a  shortage of studies on ______________."

• The purpose is typically to identify needs for further research -- either due to gaps or inconsistencies in a body of knowledge
• Examples: Mining Learning and Crafting Scientific Experiments..., Theories on Child Protection Work..

Scoping Review

• The purpose may be to gather information, form a topic/hypothesis, set parameters for research, or describe the
• Good starting point for concept mapping or defining terms
• Searches are as comprehensive as possible -- grey literature and non-peer reviewed items are often included.
• The researcher's process can be replicated.
• Search terms and search history are retained
• The criteria for including articles is given.

Examples: Understanding nurses dual practice...,

The scoping review process is very similar to systematic reviews.

Systematic Review

Longer overview article: Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses

• Is more comprehensive and transparent than traditional literature reviews (but they are influencing current narrative reviews)
• Require specific iterative steps that must be taken and documented (flow/decision charts are recommended)
• The purpose is typically to analyze data from pre-existing primary research. Secondary research (ex: CDC or Census datasets) analysis is also possible. Data are extracted from the original research articles.This can take many forms.
  • A review of qualitative evidence is known as a meta-synthesis.The intention of a meta-synthesis is not to summarize or replicate but to interpret the findings. Example: The use of social media in e-learning
  • A review of homogenous quantitative data is known as a meta-analysis. This approach pools the data from many studies. Example: Neural response to threat in children...
  • An examination of both qualitative and quantitative evidence is known as a mixed-methods systematic review. Example: Understanding factors that shape gender attitudes...
• Often used as the basis for evidence-based practice, and popular in health sciences/public health
• Generally researched by a team due to the large work load

Thisdescriptive table comes from Grant MJ, Booth A. A typology of reviews: an analysis of 14 review types and associated methodologies. Health Info Libr J. 2009 Jun;26(2):91-108. doi: 10.1111/j.1471-1842.2009.00848.x. PMID: 19490148.