5 Questions to Choose the Right Literature Review
Conducting a literature review is a foundational step in academic research, helping to frame your study within the context of existing knowledge. However, deciding which type of literature review to conduct can be challenging.
Here's 5 simple questions to help you decide which type of literature review to select.
1. What is the purpose of your review?
Understanding the primary aim of your literature review is where it all begins. Are you summarising existing knowledge, identifying research gaps, evaluating interventions, or offering new insights? The purpose of your review will dictate the type of review you should undertake:
Systematic review: Ideal for summarising existing knowledge comprehensively.
Meta-analysis: Suitable for evaluating interventions by statistically combining results from multiple studies.
Scoping review: Best for identifying research gaps and mapping out the extent of research activity.
Narrative review: Useful for providing new insights and a broad overview of a topic.
2. What is the scope of your review?
Consider whether your question is narrow and specific or broad and exploratory. For example:
Systematic reviews and meta-analyses: Fit narrow, specific questions that require detailed analysis.
Scoping and narrative reviews: Better suited for broad, exploratory questions that need a wide-ranging overview.
3. What types of studies are you interested in?
The nature of the studies you are focusing on will influence your choice of review:
Quantitative studies: Meta-analyses are ideal for these, as they allow for statistical synthesis.
Qualitative studies: Meta-syntheses or narrative reviews work well, providing a comprehensive thematic analysis.
Mixed-methods or theoretical studies: Require tailored approaches, often combining elements from different review types.
4. What resources and time do you have available?
Consider your available resources and timeline. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses are resource-intensive and time-consuming. In contrast, narrative or scoping reviews are less demanding in terms of time and resources, making them more feasible for researchers with limited availability.
5. What is the intended audience and impact?
Identifying your target audience and the desired impact of your review is essential:
Realist reviews: Suitable for policy guidance and recommendations, as they provide practical insights.
Systematic reviews and meta-analyses: Often aimed at academic audiences and professionals looking for detailed, evidence-based conclusions.
Narrative and scoping reviews: Can be more accessible to a general audience or those new to a research area.
Take home message
Choosing the right type of literature review is the cornerstone of conducting an effective and impactful review. By considering the purpose, scope, study types, resources, and audience, you can ensure that your literature review is fit for its intended purpose. Making informed decisions at the start of your review process can significantly enhance the quality and relevance of your research.
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