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4. Types of Literature Reviews

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Systematic Reviews
This guide explains the principles of systematic reviews and offers advice on getting started with
your systematic literature search.

 Home
 Types of Literature Reviews
 Planning Your Systematic Review
 Database Searching
 Creating the Search
 Search Filters & Hedges
 Grey Literature
 Managing & Appraising Results
 Further Resources

What Makes a Systematic Review Different from Other Types of Reviews?

Reproduced from Grant, M. J. and Booth, A. (2009), A typology of reviews: an analysis of 14 review
types and associated methodologies. Health Information & Libraries Journal, 26: 91–
108. doi:10.1111/j.1471-1842.2009.00848.x

Label Description Search Appraisal Synthesis A

Critical review Aims to demonstrate writer Seeks to identify No formal quality Typically narrative, Signific
has extensively researched most significant assessment. Attempts perhaps conceptual compon
literature and critically items in the field to evaluate according or chronological identify
evaluated its quality. Goes contribu
beyond mere description to embody
 include degree of analysis to contribution derive n
and conceptual innovation.
Typically results in
hypothesis or mode

Literature review Generic term: published May or may not May or may not Typically narrative Analysi
materials that provide include include quality chronol
examination of recent or comprehensive assessment concept
current literature. Can cover searching etc.
wide range of subjects at
various levels of
completeness and
comprehensiveness. May
include research findings

Mapping review/ Map out and categorize Completeness of No formal quality May be graphical Charact
systematic map existing literature from searching assessment and tabular and qua
which to commission further determined by literatur
reviews and/or primary time/scope study de
research by identifying gaps constraints key feat
in research literature identify
primary
research

Meta-analysis Technique that statistically Aims for Quality assessment Graphical and Numeri
combines the results of exhaustive, may determine tabular with measure
quantitative studies to comprehensive inclusion/ exclusion narrative assumin
provide a more precise searching. May and/or sensitivity commentary heterog
effect of the results use funnel plot to analyses
assess
completeness

Mixed studies Refers to any combination Requires either Requires either a Typically both Analysi
review/mixed of methods where one very sensitive generic appraisal components will be characte
methods review significant component is a search to retrieve instrument or separate presented as literatur
literature review (usually all studies or appraisal processes narrative and in correlat
systematic). Within a review separately with corresponding tables. May also characte
context it refers to a conceived checklists employ graphical gap ana
combination of review quantitative and means of integrating identify
approaches for example qualitative quantitative and in one l
combining quantitative with strategies qualitative studies missing
qualitative research or
outcome with process
studies

Overview Generic term: summary of May or may not May or may not Synthesis depends Analysi
the [medical] literature that include include quality on whether chronol
 attempts to survey the comprehensive assessment (depends systematic or not. concept
literature and describe its searching whether systematic Typically narrative etc.
characteristics (depends whether overview or not) but may include
systematic tabular features
overview or not)

Qualitative Method for integrating or May employ Quality assessment Qualitative, Themat
systematic comparing the findings from selective or typically used to narrative synthesis may inc
review/qualitative qualitative studies. It looks purposive mediate messages not concept
evidence synthesis for ‘themes’ or ‘constructs’ sampling for
that lie in or across inclusion/exclusion
individual qualitative studies

Rapid review Assessment of what is Completeness of Time-limited formal Typically narrative Quantit
already known about a searching quality assessment and tabular and ove
policy or practice issue, by determined by quality/
using systematic review time constraints effect o
methods to search and
critically appraise existing
research

Scoping review Preliminary assessment of Completeness of No formal quality Typically tabular Charact
potential size and scope of searching assessment with some narrative and qua
available research literature. determined by commentary literatur
Aims to identify nature and time/scope study de
extent of research evidence constraints. May key feat
(usually including ongoing include research to speci
research) in progress review

State-of-the-art Tend to address more Aims for No formal quality Typically narrative, Current
review current matters in contrast to comprehensive assessment may have tabular knowle
other combined searching of accompaniment prioritie
retrospective and current current literature investig
approaches. May offer new research
perspectives

Systematic review Seeks to systematically Aims for Quality assessment Typically narrative What is
search for, appraise and exhaustive, may determine with tabular recomm
synthesis research evidence, comprehensive inclusion/exclusion accompaniment practice
often adhering to guidelines searching unknow
on the conduct of a review around
recomm
future r

Systematic search Combines strengths of Aims for May or may not Minimal narrative, What is
and review critical review with a exhaustive, include quality tabular summary of recomm
 comprehensive search comprehensive assessment studies practice
process. Typically addresses searching
broad questions to produce
‘best evidence synthesis’

Systematized Attempt to include elements May or may not May or may not Typically narrative What is
review of systematic review process include include quality with tabular uncerta
while stopping short of comprehensive assessment accompaniment findings
systematic review. Typically searching method
conducted as postgraduate
student assignment

Umbrella review Specifically refers to review Identification of Quality assessment of Graphical and What is
compiling evidence from component studies within tabular with recomm
multiple reviews into one reviews, but no component reviews narrative practice
accessible and usable search for primary and/or of reviews commentary unknow
document. Focuses on broad studies themselves recomm
condition or problem for future r
which there are competing
interventions and highlights
reviews that address these
interventions and their
results

 Last Updated: Apr 20, 2023 10:07 AM

 URL: https://guides.library.ucla.edu/systematicreviews
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Subjects: Health Sciences
Tags: Biomed Library, research advice