| Types of Reviews
|
Systematic Reviews
|
Search the Literature
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| Formulate the Question
|
Scoping Reviews
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Appraise Studies
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| Develop a Protocol
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Rapid Review
|
Analyze Data
|
About Literature Reviews
The term Literature Review refers to both a process and an output product.
As a PROCESS, a literature review is a survey of scholarly publications related to a specific research question or topic.
As a PRODUCT, a literature review can be integrated into a research study publication or it can a free-standing publication.
A literature review offers a snapshot of published literature that addresses a specific issue, topic or question. Different types of literature reviews involve varying degrees of rigor, scope, and focus. A Narrative Review is often part of a research publication and serves to situate a research study within the broader landscape of a topic area. Systematic Reviews, Meta-Analyses, and Scoping Reviews are free-standing publications that offer a deeper exploration of literature to address specific research questions.
Depending on the type of review...
SEARCH may or may not be comprehensive
APPRAISAL may or may not include quality assessment
SYNTHESIS is narrative
ANALYSIS may be chronological, conceptual, thematic, etc.
What kind of review should I consider?
- Right ReviewThis tool is designed to provide guidance and supporting material to reviewers on methods for the conduct and reporting of knowledge synthesis.
- SR ToolboxThe Systematic Review Toolbox is an online catalogue of tools that support various tasks within the systematic review and wider evidence synthesis process.
Related Guides
- Demystifuing the Literature ReviewThis guide provides a general overview of the literature review and its place in a research project, thesis, or dissertation, and demonstrates some strategies and resources for finding the information you need using the U of I Library.
- Doing Research in Medicine, Biomedicine & HealthThis guide is designed to help you get started with your research and provides information about management citations, managing data, finding funding, publishing and more.