Narrative, Systematic, and Beyond
When embarking on any scholarly research, conducting a thorough literature review is indispensable. It lays the foundational knowledge of the subject, identifies gaps in current research, and sets the stage for further inquiries. This post delves into the nuances between the two primary types of literature reviews: narrative literature reviews and systematic literature reviews, providing insights into their unique methodologies and purposes.
What is a Literature Review?
A literature review is a comprehensive survey of scholarly sources on a specific topic. It provides a summary, classification, comparison, and evaluation of these sources, and is often part of a broader scholarly paper or a standalone work that sets the context for research.
Narrative Literature Review: An Overview
Definition and Purpose: A narrative literature review, also known as a traditional literature review, is qualitative, aiming to provide a broad perspective of the existing knowledge on a topic. It synthesizes findings from various sources, offering insights, critical discussions, and often an informal or subjective interpretation by the author.
Methodology: The approach is more flexible compared to systematic reviews. Researchers collect studies that are relevant, regardless of their methodological rigor or design. The process involves summarizing and synthesizing information, identifying patterns, themes, and key debates within the literature.
Use Cases: Narrative reviews are particularly useful in fields where it is more about the discussion and interpretation of existing theories and concepts than about aggregating high-quality empirical evidence to answer a specific question. They are common in humanities and social sciences.
Systematic Literature Review: An In-depth Look
Definition and Purpose: A systematic literature review provides a clear, rigorous, and systematic synthesis of research findings. The primary objective is to address a specific research question by collecting and critically analyzing multiple research studies, using methods that are selected before the review begins.
Methodology: This type of review follows a predefined protocol:
- Formulating a Research Question: Clear and focused to ensure that the review remains precise.
- Identifying Relevant Work: Using an exhaustive search strategy across multiple databases and sources.
- Assessment for Inclusion: Based on predefined selection criteria to maintain objectivity.
- Data Extraction and Monitoring: Using standardized forms for consistency.
- Analysis and Interpretation: Employing statistical methods like meta-analysis where applicable.
Use Cases: Systematic reviews are standard in health sciences and are increasingly used across scientific disciplines, especially where an accurate and comprehensive overview of existing evidence is necessary.
Comparing Narrative and Systematic Reviews
| Aspect | Narrative Review | Systematic Review |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Explores broad questions, synthesizing theories and concepts. | Answers specific questions through a rigorous analysis of collected data. |
| Methodology | Flexible, no predefined protocol. | Structured, with strict protocols and predefined methodology. |
| Outcome | Subjective interpretation, broad understanding. | Objective findings, focused insights. |
Conclusion
Choosing between a narrative and a systematic literature review depends on your research question, the nature of the topic, and the specific requirements of your academic field. Both types of reviews play crucial roles in scholarly research, but their approaches and outcomes cater to different academic needs.
Researchers should decide the type of literature review based on their research objectives and the norms of their academic discipline. Understanding these differences ensures that your research is built on a firm foundation, whether you’re synthesizing broad theoretical concepts or evaluating precise empirical evidence.