Systematic literature review

Implemented in response to specific questions about clinical practice; designation of criteria for including/excluding literature is important part of this type of review.

Purpose: aims at producing an inclusive list of the entire literature on a topic; set apart the literature on a topic based on predefined criteria; assess and synthesize these sources

Traditional or narrative review

Summarizes, synthesizes and discusses literature on chosen topic; selective with regard to sources included.

Purpose: to give a comprehensive overview of the literature in a chosen area; to identify gaps in existing research; to develop conceptual framework; to refine research topic/question

(Cronin et al. 2008, 38)

• Why is this subject important?
• Who else thinks it is important?
• Who has worked on this subject before?
• Who has done something similar to what I am doing?
• What can be adapted to my own study?
• What are the gaps in the research?
• Who is going to use my material?
• What use will my project be?
• What will my contribution be?
• What specific question will I answer?
• What specific questions will my research not be able to address?

(Murray 2006:115)