Types of Reviews
A review of the literature gathers together in one document a summary of relevant materials on a particular subject area. There are three kinds of reviews covered in this guide.
- Literature Reviews - Also called a narrative review, a literature summarizes current knowledge on a particular topic including gaps in research and disagreements.
- Systematic Reviews - Also called an integrative review, a systematic review synthesizes empirical studies on a particular topic, focusing on critical appraisal of studies.
- Scoping Reviews - Also called an exploratory review, focuses on the breadth and depth of research on a particular topic, focusing on pockets of and gaps in knowledge.
Which Review to Write
Absent a specific assignment from an instructor or program director, you will need to consider several factors when deciding what kind of review to write.
- Is your question broad or narrow? Does it require synthesis of the research or a broad overview?
- Time, expertise, and other resources available
- Does your field or selected publication have a standard type of review?
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