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Literature review vs. systematic review, your librarian.
It’s common to confuse systematic and literature reviews because both are used to provide a summary of the existent literature or research on a specific topic. Regardless of this commonality, both types of review vary significantly. The following table provides a detailed explanation as well as the differences between systematic and literature reviews.
Kysh, Lynn (2013): Difference between a systematic review and a literature review. [figshare]. Available at: http://dx.doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.766364
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Joseph l. mathew.
Department of Pediatrics, Advanced Pediatrics Centre, PGIMER, Chandigarh, India
Systematic reviews involve the application of scientific methods to reduce bias in review of literature. The key components of a systematic review are a well-defined research question, comprehensive literature search to identify all studies that potentially address the question, systematic assembly of the studies that answer the question, critical appraisal of the methodological quality of the included studies, data extraction and analysis (with and without statistics), and considerations towards applicability of the evidence generated in a systematic review. These key features can be remembered as six ‘A’; Ask, Access, Assimilate, Appraise, Analyze and Apply. Meta-analysis is a statistical tool that provides pooled estimates of effect from the data extracted from individual studies in the systematic review. The graphical output of meta-analysis is a forest plot which provides information on individual studies and the pooled effect. Systematic reviews of literature can be undertaken for all types of questions, and all types of study designs. This article highlights the key features of systematic reviews, and is designed to help readers understand and interpret them. It can also help to serve as a beginner’s guide for both users and producers of systematic reviews and to appreciate some of the methodological issues.
Additional material related to this paper is available with the online version at www.indianpediatrics.net
Systematic reviews and literature reviews are commonly confused. The main difference between the two is that systematic reviews answer a focused question whereas literature reviews contextualize a topic.
Systematic Review | Literature Review |
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Kysh, Lynn (2013): Difference between a systematic review and a literature review. Available at: https://figshare.com/articles/Difference_between_a_systematic_review_and_a_literature_review/766364
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Review not just what scholars are saying, but how are they saying it. Some questions to ask:
When you begin to write your literature review section, you'll be glad you dug deeper into how the research was designed and constructed because it establishes a means for developing more substantial analysis and interpretation of the research problem.
Hart, Chris. Doing a Literature Review: Releasing the Social Science Research Imagination . Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, 1998.
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‘Systematic’ describes the review’s methods. It means that they are transparent, reproducible and defined before the search gets underway. That’s important because it helps to minimise the bias that would result from cherry-picking studies in a non-systematic way.
Literature reviews don’t usually apply the same rigour in their methods. That’s because, unlike systematic reviews, they don’t aim to produce an answer to a clinical question. Literature reviews can provide context or background information for a new piece of research. They can also stand alone as a general guide to what is already known about a particular topic.
Summary adapted from: Mellor, L. (2022) ‘The difference between a systematic review and a literature review’, https://www.covidence.org/ , no date. Available at: https://www.covidence.org/blog/the-difference-between-a-systematic-review-and-a-literature-review/ (Accessed: 23 May 2022).
Your supervisor may ask you to do a systematic review, when what they actually want you to do is a systematic review of the literature. There are a few key differences:
Systematic review | Systematic review |
---|---|
Brings together the results of studies to answer a specific question | Provides a subjective summary of the literature on a topic |
Extensive search covering published and grey literature | Thorough search of published literature |
Involves a detailed protocol often developed using the | Includes a detailed search strategy |
Usually involves three or more people to eliminate bias | Can be produced by a single person, so open to bias |
Can take months or years to produce | Weeks or months to produce |
Includes... | Includes... |
Summary adapted from: Kysh, L. (2013) ‘What's in a name? The difference between a systematic review and a literature review and why it matters’, https://figshare.com/ , 8 August. Available at: https://figshare.com/articles/Difference_between_a_systematic_review_and_a_literature_review/766364
(Accessed: 23 May 2022).
You can find supporting online resources including videos on title Doing a Systematic Review, 2nd edition available as an ebook and as print copies in the library .
Your Liaison Librarian can also provide further help and advice.
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Most budding researchers are confused between systematic review vs. literature review. As a PhD student or early career researcher, you must by now be well versed with the fact that literature review is the most important aspect of any scientific research, without which a study cannot be commenced. However, literature review is in itself an ‘umbrella term’, and there are several types of reviews, such as systematic literature reviews , that you may need to perform during your academic publishing journey, based upon their specific relevance to each study.
Your research goal, approach, and design will finally influence your choice of systematic review vs literature review . Apart from systematic literature review , some other common types of literature review are 1 :
The most commonly used form of review, however, is the systematic literature review . Compared to the other types of literature reviews described above, this one requires a more rigorous and well-defined approach. The systematic literature review can be divided into two main categories: meta-analysis and meta-synthesis. Meta-analysis is related to identifying patterns and relationships within the data, by using statistical procedures. Meta-synthesis on the other hand, is concerned with integrating findings of multiple qualitative research studies, not necessarily needing statistical procedures.
Table of Contents
In spite of having this basic understanding, however, there might still be a lot of confusion when it comes to finalizing between a systematic review vs literature review of any other kind. Since these two types of reviews serve a similar purpose, they are often used interchangeably and the difference between systematic review and literature review is overlooked. In order to ease this confusion and smoothen the process of decision-making it is essential to have a closer look at a systematic review vs. literature review and the differences between them 2.3 :
Goal | Provides answers to a focused question, most often a clinical question | Provides a general overview regarding any particular topic or concept
|
Methodology | Pre-specified methods, may or may not include statistical analysis, but methods are usually reproducible. The results and conclusion are usually evidence-based.
| Methods are not as rigorous, do not have inclusion and exclusion criteria and may follow a thematic approach. The conclusions may be subjective and qualitative, based upon the individual author’s perspective of the data.
|
Content
| The main components of the systematic literature review include: Prespecified criteria, search strategy, assessment of the validity of the findings, interpretation and presentation of the results, and references.
| The main components of this review include: Introduction, methods, discussion, conclusion, and references. |
Author limit
| Three or more | One or more |
Value | Valuable for clinicians, experts, and practitioners who are looking for evidence-based data.
| Valuable for a broader group of researchers and scientists who are looking to summarize and understand a particular topic in depth
|
While the above illustrated similarities and differences between systematic review and literature review might be helpful as an overview, here are some additional pointers that you can keep in mind while performing a review for your research study 4 :
We hope that the above article was helpful for you in understanding the basics of literature review and to know the use of systemic review vs. literature review.
Q: When to do a systematic review?
A systematic review is conducted to synthesize and analyze existing research on a specific question. It’s valuable when a comprehensive assessment of available evidence is required to answer a well-defined research question. Systematic reviews follow a predefined protocol, rigorous methodology, and aim to minimize bias. They’re especially useful for informing evidence-based decisions in healthcare and policy-making.
Q: When to do a literature review?
A literature review surveys existing literature on a topic, providing an overview of key concepts and findings. It’s conducted when exploring a subject, identifying gaps, and contextualizing research. Literature reviews are valuable at the beginning of a study to establish the research landscape and justify the need for new research.
Q: What is the difference between a literature review and a scoping review?
A literature review summarizes existing research on a topic, while a scoping review maps the literature to identify research gaps and areas for further investigation. While both assess existing literature, a scoping review tends to have broader inclusion criteria and aims to provide an overview of the available research, helping researchers understand the breadth of a topic before narrowing down a research question.
Q: What’ is the difference between systematic Literature Review and Meta Analysis?
A systematic literature review aims to comprehensively identify, select, and analyze all relevant studies on a specific research question using a rigorous methodology. It summarizes findings qualitatively. On the other hand, a meta-analysis is a statistical technique applied within a systematic review. It involves pooling and analyzing quantitative data from multiple studies to provide a more precise estimate of an effect size. In essence, a meta-analysis is a quantitative synthesis that goes beyond the qualitative summary of a systematic literature review.
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A systematic review attempts to collate all empirical evidence that fits pre-specified eligibility criteria in order to answer a specific research question
The evidence pyramid (image above) visually depicts the evidential strength of different research designs. Studies with the highest internal validity, characterized by a high degree of quantitative analysis, review, analysis, and stringent scientific methodology, are at the top of the pyramid. Observational research and expert opinion reside at the bottom of the pyramid. In evidence-based practice the systematic review is considered the highest level of information and is at the top of the pyramid. ( The pyramid was produced by HLWIKI Canada and is CC).
'In basic terms, a systematic review is a protocol-driven, comprehensive literature review, usually designed to answer a specific clinical question' ( Mayo Clinic Libraries )
For a more detailed definition see Clarifying differences between review designs and methods by David Gough, James Thomas & Sandy Oliver
Also see our Systematic Reviews page and the Systematic Review Guide by Curtin University Library.
Before beginning a Systematic Review ask yourself:
If you answered No to any of the first 4 questions, a traditional literature review will be more appropriate. If you answered No to the last question, a meta-analysis will not be an appropriate methodolgy for your review. For a quick alternative to a systematic review see information about TRIP Rapid Reviews .
|
|
|
Focused on a single question (often PICO based) | Not necessarily focused on a single question - may describe an overview | |
A peer reviewed protocol or plan is included | No protocol included | |
Summarises the available literature | Summarises the available literature | |
Clear objectives are identified | Objectives may or may not be identified | |
Criteria stated before the review is conducted | Criteria not stated | |
Comprehensive and systematic (stated in the document) | Strategy not explicitly stated (not always comprehensive or systematic) | |
Usually clear and explicit | Not described in a literature review | |
Comprehensive evaluation of study quality | Evaluation of study quality may or may not be included | |
Usually clear and specific | Not clear or explicit | |
Clear summaries of studies based on high quality evidence | Summary based on studies where the quality of the articles may not be specified. May also be influenced by the reviewer's therories, needs and beliefs. | |
Written by an expert or group of experts with a detailed and well grounded knowledge of the issues | Written by an expert or group of experts with a detailed and well grounded knowledge of the issues |
(from Curtin University Library's Systematic Review guide )
The Institute of Medicine issued Standards for Systematic Review Teams in 2010, including a set of standards specifically about conducting searches. The first standard for searching (3.1.1) states that systematic review teams should work with a librarian to plan the search strategy .
Grant, M.J. and Booth, A. (2009), A typology of reviews: an analysis of 14 review types and associated methodologies. H ealth Information & Libraries Journal , 26: 91-108. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1471-1842.2009.00848.x The objective of this study is to provide descriptive insight into the most common types of reviews, with illustrative examples from health and health information domains.
Literature Review: it is a product and a process.
As a product , it is a carefully written examination, interpretation, evaluation, and synthesis of the published literature related to your topic. It focuses on what is known about your topic and what methodologies, models, theories, and concepts have been applied to it by others.
The process is what is involved in conducting a review of the literature.
Scoping reviews are a " preliminary assessment of potential size and scope of available research literature . Aims to identify nature and extent of research evidence (usually including ongoing research)." Grant and Booth (2009).
Scoping reviews are not mapping reviews: Scoping reviews are more topic based and mapping reviews are more question based.
Many evidence-based disciplines use ‘systematic reviews," this type of review is a specific methodology that aims to comprehensively identify all relevant studies on a specific topic, and to select appropriate studies based on explicit criteria . ( https://cebma.org/faq/what-is-a-systematic-review/ )
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Posts are written by library staff and reflect their personal opinions not necessarily those of MSK.
We at the MSK Library are often called upon to help our researchers with searches. Whether it’s a literature review or a systematic review depends on the needs of the patron, but what is the difference between these two and when are they needed? Both systematic and literature (or comprehensive) reviews are a gathering of available information on a certain subject. The difference comes in the depth of the research and the reporting of the conclusions. Let’s take a look.
A literature or comprehensive review brings together information on a topic in order to provide an overview of the available literature on a certain subject. Research materials are gathered through searching one or more databases and qualitatively brought together in the review. Literature reviews can be the first step in perusing a topic for a further study to get an idea of the current state of the science available but they can also be their own publication. Complete our Literature Search form if you would like us to find information on a review or other project you are working in.
Systematic reviews look at a topic more in depth using a scientific method. By looking at not only the available literature, but also theses/dissertations, abstracts/conference proceedings, and other grey literature sources, systematic reviews seek to be all-encompassing in showing results on a topic. To complete a systematic review, a team of researchers select a clinical question to be answered and specify eligibility criteria for their resources before synthesizing the information to answer their question. Multiple databases are searched in order to find every possible article on the topic. Not only are the results of the searches presented, but the search strategy, assessments and interpretations of research are also included in this form of review. Here at MSK, we use the PRISMA Statement to provide a helpful structure when working on systematic reviews. Take a look at our Systematic Review LibGuide to learn more about this investigation into the literature.
Posted on 3rd February 2016 by Weyinmi Demeyin
Millions of articles are published yearly (1) , making it difficult for clinicians to keep abreast of the literature. Reviews of literature are necessary in order to provide clinicians with accurate, up to date information to ensure appropriate management of their patients. Reviews usually involve summaries and synthesis of primary research findings on a particular topic of interest and can be grouped into 2 main categories; the ‘traditional’ review and the ‘systematic’ review with major differences between them.
Traditional reviews provide a broad overview of a research topic with no clear methodological approach (2) . Information is collected and interpreted unsystematically with subjective summaries of findings. Authors aim to describe and discuss the literature from a contextual or theoretical point of view. Although the reviews may be conducted by topic experts, due to preconceived ideas or conclusions, they could be subject to bias.
Systematic reviews are overviews of the literature undertaken by identifying, critically appraising and synthesising results of primary research studies using an explicit, methodological approach(3). They aim to summarise the best available evidence on a particular research topic.
The main differences between traditional reviews and systematic reviews are summarised below in terms of the following characteristics: Authors, Study protocol, Research question, Search strategy, Sources of literature, Selection criteria, Critical appraisal, Synthesis, Conclusions, Reproducibility, and Update.
Decisions and health policies about patient care should be evidence based in order to provide the best treatment for patients. Systematic reviews provide a means of systematically identifying and synthesising the evidence, making it easier for policy makers and practitioners to assess such relevant information and hopefully improve patient outcomes.
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THE INFORMATION IS VERY MUCH VALUABLE, A LOT IS INDEED EXPECTED IN ORDER TO MASTER SYSTEMATIC REVIEW
Thank you very much for the information here. My question is : Is it possible for me to do a systematic review which is not directed toward patients but just a specific population? To be specific can I do a systematic review on the mental health needs of students?
Hi Rosemary, I wonder whether it would be useful for you to look at Module 1 of the Cochrane Interactive Learning modules. This is a free module, open to everyone (you will just need to register for a Cochrane account if you don’t already have one). This guides you through conducting a systematic review, with a section specifically around defining your research question, which I feel will help you in understanding your question further. Head to this link for more details: https://training.cochrane.org/interactivelearning
I wonder if you have had a search on the Cochrane Library as yet, to see what Cochrane systematic reviews already exist? There is one review, titled “Psychological interventions to foster resilience in healthcare students” which may be of interest: https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD013684/full You can run searches on the library by the population and intervention you are interested in.
I hope these help you start in your investigations. Best wishes. Emma.
La revisión sistemática vale si hay solo un autor?
HI Alex, so sorry for the delay in replying to you. Yes, that is a very good point. I have copied a paragraph from the Cochrane Handbook, here, which does say that for a Cochrane Review, you should have more than one author.
“Cochrane Reviews should be undertaken by more than one person. In putting together a team, authors should consider the need for clinical and methodological expertise for the review, as well as the perspectives of stakeholders. Cochrane author teams are encouraged to seek and incorporate the views of users, including consumers, clinicians and those from varying regions and settings to develop protocols and reviews. Author teams for reviews relevant to particular settings (e.g. neglected tropical diseases) should involve contributors experienced in those settings”.
Thank you for the discussion point, much appreciated.
Hello, I’d like to ask you a question: what’s the difference between systematic review and systematized review? In addition, if the screening process of the review was made by only one author, is still a systematic or is a systematized review? Thanks
Hi. This article from Grant & Booth is a really good one to look at explaining different types of reviews: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1471-1842.2009.00848.x It includes Systematic Reviews and Systematized Reviews. In answer to your second question, have a look at this Chapter from the Cochrane handbook. It covers the question about ‘Who should do a systematic review’. https://training.cochrane.org/handbook/current/chapter-01
A really relevant part of this chapter is this: “Systematic reviews should be undertaken by a team. Indeed, Cochrane will not publish a review that is proposed to be undertaken by a single person. Working as a team not only spreads the effort, but ensures that tasks such as the selection of studies for eligibility, data extraction and rating the certainty of the evidence will be performed by at least two people independently, minimizing the likelihood of errors.”
I hope this helps with the question. Best wishes. Emma.
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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
Aims to demonstrate writer has extensively researched literature and critically evaluated its quality. Goes beyond mere description to include degree of analysis and conceptual innovation. Typically results in hypothesis or mode | Seeks to identify most significant items in the field | No formal quality assessment. Attempts to evaluate according to contribution | Typically narrative, perhaps conceptual or chronological | Significant component: seeks to identify conceptual contribution to embody existing or derive new theory | |
Generic term: published materials that provide examination of recent or current literature. Can cover wide range of subjects at various levels of completeness and comprehensiveness. May include research findings | May or may not include comprehensive searching | May or may not include quality assessment | Typically narrative | Analysis may be chronological, conceptual, thematic, etc. | |
Mapping review/ systematic map | Map out and categorize existing literature from which to commission further reviews and/or primary research by identifying gaps in research literature | Completeness of searching determined by time/scope constraints | No formal quality assessment | May be graphical and tabular | Characterizes quantity and quality of literature, perhaps by study design and other key features. May identify need for primary or secondary research |
Technique that statistically combines the results of quantitative studies to provide a more precise effect of the results | Aims for exhaustive, comprehensive searching. May use funnel plot to assess completeness | Quality assessment may determine inclusion/ exclusion and/or sensitivity analyses | Graphical and tabular with narrative commentary | Numerical analysis of measures of effect assuming absence of heterogeneity | |
Refers to any combination of methods where one significant component is a literature review (usually systematic). Within a review context it refers to a combination of review approaches for example combining quantitative with qualitative research or outcome with process studies | Requires either very sensitive search to retrieve all studies or separately conceived quantitative and qualitative strategies | Requires either a generic appraisal instrument or separate appraisal processes with corresponding checklists | Typically both components will be presented as narrative and in tables. May also employ graphical means of integrating quantitative and qualitative studies | Analysis may characterise both literatures and look for correlations between characteristics or use gap analysis to identify aspects absent in one literature but missing in the other | |
Generic term: summary of the [medical] literature that attempts to survey the literature and describe its characteristics | May or may not include comprehensive searching (depends whether systematic overview or not) | May or may not include quality assessment (depends whether systematic overview or not) | Synthesis depends on whether systematic or not. Typically narrative but may include tabular features | Analysis may be chronological, conceptual, thematic, etc. | |
Method for integrating or comparing the findings from qualitative studies. It looks for ‘themes’ or ‘constructs’ that lie in or across individual qualitative studies | May employ selective or purposive sampling | Quality assessment typically used to mediate messages not for inclusion/exclusion | Qualitative, narrative synthesis | Thematic analysis, may include conceptual models | |
Assessment of what is already known about a policy or practice issue, by using systematic review methods to search and critically appraise existing research | Completeness of searching determined by time constraints | Time-limited formal quality assessment | Typically narrative and tabular | Quantities of literature and overall quality/direction of effect of literature | |
Preliminary assessment of potential size and scope of available research literature. Aims to identify nature and extent of research evidence (usually including ongoing research) | Completeness of searching determined by time/scope constraints. May include research in progress | No formal quality assessment | Typically tabular with some narrative commentary | Characterizes quantity and quality of literature, perhaps by study design and other key features. Attempts to specify a viable review | |
Tend to address more current matters in contrast to other combined retrospective and current approaches. May offer new perspectives | Aims for comprehensive searching of current literature | No formal quality assessment | Typically narrative, may have tabular accompaniment | Current state of knowledge and priorities for future investigation and research | |
Seeks to systematically search for, appraise and synthesis research evidence, often adhering to guidelines on the conduct of a review | Aims for exhaustive, comprehensive searching | Quality assessment may determine inclusion/exclusion | Typically narrative with tabular accompaniment | What is known; recommendations for practice. What remains unknown; uncertainty around findings, recommendations for future research | |
Combines strengths of critical review with a comprehensive search process. Typically addresses broad questions to produce ‘best evidence synthesis’ | Aims for exhaustive, comprehensive searching | May or may not include quality assessment | Minimal narrative, tabular summary of studies | What is known; recommendations for practice. Limitations | |
Attempt to include elements of systematic review process while stopping short of systematic review. Typically conducted as postgraduate student assignment | May or may not include comprehensive searching | May or may not include quality assessment | Typically narrative with tabular accompaniment | What is known; uncertainty around findings; limitations of methodology | |
Specifically refers to review compiling evidence from multiple reviews into one accessible and usable document. Focuses on broad condition or problem for which there are competing interventions and highlights reviews that address these interventions and their results | Identification of component reviews, but no search for primary studies | Quality assessment of studies within component reviews and/or of reviews themselves | Graphical and tabular with narrative commentary | What is known; recommendations for practice. What remains unknown; recommendations for future research |
A systematic review is a firmly structured literature review, undertaken according to a fixed plan, system or method. As such, it is highly focused on a particular and explicit topic area with strict research parameters. Systematic reviews will often have a detailed plan known as a protocol, which is a statement of the approach and methods to be used in the review prior to undertaking it.
Systematic review methodology is explicit and precise because it aims to minimise bias, thereby enhancing the reliability of any conclusions. It is therefore considered an evidence-based approach. Systematic reviews are commonly used by health professionals, but also policy makers and researchers.
There is information about the difference between a systematic review and a literature review on this page. If you are undertaking systematic approach to a literature review, however, you might find certain aspects of this guide useful.
You can find further information on literature reviews on our literature reviews page .
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| Topic areas and research questions can be broad. There might be multiple areas of research focus. The research areas or questions may have a focus around a particular viewpoint or in support of a theory or existing body of knowledge. | Begins with a focused, well-defined and precise question. All the evidence, research or material should be found to answer the specific question. |
| A literature search may not always be comprehensive in scope. Searches may be undertaken using one or many sources, but not necessarily in a specific order. A rigorous search plan may not be employed and search results may be selected subjectively. | Searching is comprehensive in scope. It aims to find all the published and unpublished literature from a wide variety of sources in both print and electronic format. |
| There may not necessarily be a clear rationale as to why specific research has been included in the review. | Clear reasons for including or excluding studies are documented and informed by the research question. |
| Individual studies are not always assessed for their quality and each study might not be assessed according to the same standards every time. | Individual studies within the review are assessed on their quality (how well they were conducted) and objectivity. |
| A written report on search methodology and results is often not included, but where it is it will often not contain the same level of detail as that found in a systematic review. | Search methodology and search results are clearly articulated, so that the search can be replicated by others. Tables and charts are often used to document the search process. |
| Conclusions might not be based on the included studies, but rather build on original primary research or the researchers prior knowledge. | Clear conclusions can be made from the studies for recommendations for practice or further research. |
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Home » Education » Difference Between Literature Review and Systematic Review
Main difference – literature review vs systematic review.
Literature review and systematic review are two scholarly texts that help to introduce new knowledge to various fields. A literature review, which reviews the existing research and information on a selected study area, is a crucial element of a research study. A systematic review is also a type of a literature review. The main difference between literature review and systematic review is their focus on the research question ; a systematic review is focused on a specific research question whereas a literature review is not.
This article highlights,
1. What is a Literature Review? – Definition, Features, Characteristics
2. What is a Systematic Review? – Definition, Features, Characteristics
A literature review is an indispensable element of a research study. This is where the researcher shows his knowledge on the subject area he or she is researching on. A literature review is a discussion on the already existing material in the subject area. Thus, this will require a collection of published (in print or online) work concerning the selected research area. In simple terms, a literature is a review of the literature in the related subject area.
A good literature review is a critical discussion, displaying the writer’s knowledge on relevant theories and approaches and awareness of contrasting arguments. A literature review should have the following features (Caulley, 1992)
The structure of a literature review is similar to that of an article or essay, unlike an annotated bibliography . The information that is collected is integrated into paragraphs based on their relevance. Literature reviews help researchers to evaluate the existing literature, to identify a gap in the research area, to place their study in the existing research and identify future research.
A systematic review is a type of systematic review that is focused on a particular research question . The main purpose of this type of research is to identify, review, and summarize the best available research on a specific research question. Systematic reviews are used mainly because the review of existing studies is often more convenient than conducting a new study. These are mostly used in the health and medical field, but they are not rare in fields such as social sciences and environmental science. Given below are the main stages of a systematic review:
Literature Review is a critical evaluation of the existing published work in a selected research area.
Systematic Review is a type of literature review that is focused on a particular research question.
Literature Review aims to review the existing literature, identify the research gap, place the research study in relation to other studies, to evaluate promising research methods, and to suggest further research.
Systematic Review aims to identify, review, and summarize the best available research on a specific research question.
In Literature Review, a r esearch question is formed after writing the literature review and identifying the research gap.
In Systematic Review, a research question is formed at the beginning of the systematic review.
Literature Review is an essential component of a research study and is done at the beginning of the study.
Systematic Review is not followed by a separate research study.
Caulley, D. N. “Writing a critical review of the literature.” La Trobe University: Bundoora (1992).
“Animated Storyboard: What Are Systematic Reviews?” . cccrg.cochrane.org . Cochrane Consumers and Communication . Retrieved 1 June 2016.
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Definition: A literature review is a systematic examination and synthesis of existing scholarly research on a specific topic or subject.
Purpose: It serves to provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of knowledge within a particular field.
Analysis: Involves critically evaluating and summarizing key findings, methodologies, and debates found in academic literature.
Identifying Gaps: Aims to pinpoint areas where there is a lack of research or unresolved questions, highlighting opportunities for further investigation.
Contextualization: Enables researchers to understand how their work fits into the broader academic conversation and contributes to the existing body of knowledge.
tl;dr A literature review critically examines and synthesizes existing scholarly research and publications on a specific topic to provide a comprehensive understanding of the current state of knowledge in the field.
❌ An annotated bibliography
❌ Original research
❌ A summary
❌ Something to be conducted at the end of your research
❌ An opinion piece
❌ A chronological compilation of studies
The reason for conducting a literature review is to:
What has been written about your topic? What is the evidence for your topic? What methods, key concepts, and theories relate to your topic? Are there current gaps in knowledge or new questions to be asked? | |
Bring your reader up to date Further your reader's understanding of the topic | |
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About Systematic Reviews
Reviews in scientific research are tools that help synthesize literature on a topic of interest and describe its current state. Different types of reviews are conducted depending on the research question and the scope of the review. A systematic review is one such review that is robust, reproducible, and transparent. It involves collating evidence by using all of the eligible and critically appraised literature available on a certain topic. To know more about how to do a systematic review , you can check out our article at the link. The primary aim of a systematic review is to recommend best practices and inform policy development. Hence, there is a need for high-quality, focused, and precise methods and reporting. For more exploratory research questions, methods such as a scoping review are employed. Be sure you understand the difference between a systematic review and a scoping review , if you don’t, check out the link to learn more.
When the word “review” alone is used to describe a research paper, the first thing that should come to mind is that it is a literature review. Almost every researcher starts off their career with literature reviews. To know the difference between a systematic review and a literature review , read on here. Traditional literature reviews are also sometimes referred to as narrative reviews since they use narrative analysis to synthesize data. In this article, we will explore the differences between a systematic review and a narrative review, in further detail.
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Both systematic and narrative reviews are classified as secondary research studies since they both use existing primary research studies e.g. case studies. Despite this similarity, there are key differences in their methodology and scope. The major differences between them lie in their objectives, methodology, and application areas.
The main objective of a systematic review is to formulate a well-defined research question and use qualitative and quantitative methods to analyze all the available evidence attempting to answer the question. In contrast, narrative reviews can address one or more questions with a much broader scope. The efficacy of narrative reviews is irreplaceable in tracking the development of a scientific principle, or a clinical concept. This ability to conduct a wider exploration could be lost in the restrictive framework of a systematic review.
For systematic reviews, there are guidelines provided by the Cochrane Handbook, ROSES, and the PRISMA statement that can help determine the protocol, and methodology to be used. However, for narrative reviews, such standard guidelines do not exist. Although, there are recommendations available.
Systematic reviews comprise an explicit, transparent, and pre-specified methodology. The methodology followed in a systematic review is as follows,
A narrative review on the other hand does not have a strict protocol to be followed. The design of the review depends on its author and the objectives of the review. As yet, there is no consensus on the standard structure of a narrative review. The preferred approach is the IMRAD (Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion) [2]. Apart from the author’s preferences, a narrative review structure must respect the journal style and conventions followed in the respective field.
Narrative reviews are aimed at identifying and summarizing what has previously been published. Their general applications include exploring existing debates, the appraisal of previous studies conducted on a certain topic, identifying knowledge gaps, and speculating on the latest interventions available. They are also used to track and report on changes that have occurred in an existing field of research. The main purpose is to deepen the understanding in a certain research area. The results of a systematic review provide the most valid evidence to guide clinical decision-making and inform policy development [1]. They have now become the gold standard in evidence-based medicine [1].
Although both types of reviews come with their own benefits and limitations, researchers should carefully consider the differences between them before making a decision on which review type to use.
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Systematic reviews and other types of literature reviews are more prevalent in clinical medicine than in other fields. The recurring need for improvement and updates in these disciplines has led to the Living Systematic Review (LSR) concept to enhance the effectiveness of scientific synthesis efforts. While LSR was introduced in 2014, its adoption outside clinical medicine has been limited, with one exception. However, it is anticipated that this will change in the future, prompting a detailed exploration of four key dimensions for LSR development, regardless of the scientific domain. These dimensions include (a) compliance with FAIR principles, (b) interactivity to facilitate easier access to scientific knowledge, (c) public participation for a more comprehensive review, and (d) extending the scope beyond mere updates to living systematic reviews. Each field needs to establish clear guidelines for drafting literature reviews as independent studies, with discussions centring around the central theme of the Living Systematic Review.
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Hognogi, GG., Pop, AM. Something old, new, and borrowed . Rise of the systematic reviews. Scientometrics (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11192-024-05133-w
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The volume of published scientific and medical articles has exploded over the years, making the systematic literature review (SLR) process challenging for research organizations. They must review tens of thousands of research findings, often using disparate tools and manual workflows.
The National Library of Medicine reports that SLRs can cost research organizations hundreds of thousands of dollars annually. That’s because completing manual SLR workflows increases the chances of errors and slows internal productivity.
Literature management software (LMS) solutions can make the stages of a systematic review workflow more affordable, efficient, organized, and accurate. In this guide, we’ll explain how LMS platforms help you quickly find the right literature in the review process and set your business up for long-term success.
Systematic literature review workflows are rigorous, evidence-based processes involving multiple subject matter experts within an organization. These experts meticulously evaluate research findings to align and agree on answers to specific research questions. Whether SLR workflows are manual or automated using literature review management software, they follow strict methodologies to ensure reproducible and unbiased outcomes.
Literature management software for systematic reviews can help organizations streamline and future-proof the process by:
Excel spreadsheets are often used to track and organize documents in manual systematic literature processes. Businesses also import documents from one platform into another to evaluate the relevance of research findings at different literature review stages. This complex and time-consuming workflow is no longer sustainable, given that thousands of articles come out weekly.
Integrated systematic review automation tools like ReadCube streamline the SLR process—from identifying and retrieving documents to managing references and shared libraries, screening and reviewing references, and creating reports using PRISMA charts and citation software.
Organizations save money by reducing the time investment required to complete the process— while boosting team productivity—when they automate and integrate the multi-stage workflow using one systematic review tool.
Multiple reviewers may have conflicting opinions about whether an article should be included in a systematic literature review. Research workflow management solutions make it easy to spot conflicts and automatically flag them to reviewers, allowing teams to connect and make a group decision while ensuring productive collaboration.
Teams can also create and share project and reference libraries within some LMS platforms. Likewise, team leads can assign specific projects and literature reviews to colleagues directly from the LMS solution. Once a literature review is complete, team leads can email included references directly to colleagues to create reports and presentations.
LMS solutions streamline and simplify industry-standard review procedures, reducing the risk of errors and improving team efficiencies. The accuracy and scalability provided by a single automated SLR workflow can also improve the discovery of novel solutions, such as drug discovery in the pharmaceutical sector.
Some LMS solutions now offer configurable AI capabilities to future-proof and support organizations with increasing volumes of information and stringent regulatory demands.
LMS platforms help you navigate the challenges of increasing article volumes and regulatory demands, ensuring better systematic literature review management. Literature Review by ReadCube is a systematic, simplified end-to-end platform that can streamline these workflows with efficiency and automation to set your business up for long-term success.
The ReadCube platform also improves team collaboration and reduces systematic literature review process errors. Furthermore, ReadCube customer support can help businesses set up custom workflows to optimize their systematic literature review software outcomes.
Download ReadCube’s “ Future of Systematic Literature Reviews ” white paper to learn more.
Published 08/29/2024 by Rachel Segal in Blog ,
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(1) Background: Sleep-disordered breathing and asthma are often interrelated. Children and adults with asthma are more susceptible to sleep apnea. Inhaled corticosteroids effectively reduce inflammation and prevent structural changes in the airways. Objective: to explore the existing literature to determine whether inhaled corticosteroids play a role in sleep-disordered breathing in patients with asthma. (2) Methods: We conducted a thorough search of the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases for English-language articles published up to 12 May 2024. We utilized the ROBINS-E tool to assess the risk of bias. (4) Conclusions: 136 articles were discerned upon conducting the literature search. A total of 13 articles underwent exhaustive full-text scrutiny, resulting in 6 being considered non-relevant. The remaining seven articles, assessed for eligibility, were incorporated into the final analysis. Five studies were identified in adults and two in children. In adult patients, inhaled corticosteroids, especially at high doses, appear to increase the risk of sleep apnea in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, the properties of inhaled corticosteroids, such as particle size, may impact the risk of developing sleep apnea. In children, the severity of asthma is a key factor affecting the prevalence of sleep apnea, whereas inhaled corticosteroids appear to be a less significant risk factor compared to adults. All of the studies reviewed were classified as having a high risk of bias or some concerns regarding bias. Each study revealed at least one type of bias that raised notable concerns. This research highlights a complex interaction between the use of inhaled corticosteroids, the severity of asthma, and the onset of sleep apnea. Additional research is necessary to investigate these relationships further.
Keywords: asthma; fluticasone propionate; inhaled corticosteroid; obstructive sleep apnea; sleep-disordered breathing.
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The difference between literature review and systematic review comes back to the initial research question. Whereas the systematic review is very specific and focused, the standard literature review is much more general. The components of a literature review, for example, are similar to any other research paper.
Systematic review methods have influenced many other review types, including the traditional literature review. Covidence is a web-based tool that saves you time at the screening, selection, data extraction and quality assessment stages of your systematic review. It supports easy collaboration across teams and provides a clear overview of task ...
The methodology involved in a literature review is less complicated and requires a lower degree of planning. For a systematic review, the planning is extensive and requires defining robust pre-specified protocols. It first starts with formulating the research question and scope of the research. The PICO's approach (population, intervention ...
In contrast, a systematic literature review might be conducted by one person. Overall, while a systematic review must comply with set standards, you would expect any review called a systematic literature review to strive to be quite comprehensive. A systematic literature review would contrast with what is sometimes called a narrative or ...
Introduction. A systematic review collects secondary data, and is a synthesis of all available, relevant evidence which brings together all existing primary studies for review (Cochrane 2016).A systematic review differs from other types of literature review in several major ways.
Systematic Review vs. Literature Review. It is common to confuse systematic and literature reviews as both are used to provide a summary of the existent literature or research on a specific topic. Even with this common ground, both types vary significantly. Please review the following chart (and its corresponding poster linked below) for the ...
The following table provides a detailed explanation as well as the differences between systematic and literature reviews. Kysh, Lynn (2013): Difference between a systematic review and a literature review.
Systematic reviews involve the application of scientific methods to reduce bias in review of literature. The key components of a systematic review are a well-defined research question, comprehensive literature search to identify all studies that potentially address the question, systematic assembly of the studies that answer the question, critical appraisal of the methodological quality of the ...
This research guide will help you research, compile, and understand the elements required for a literature review. Systematic reviews and literature reviews are commonly confused. The main difference between the two is that systematic reviews answer a focused question whereas literature reviews contextualize a topic.
Systematic review Systematic literature review; Brings together the results of studies to answer a specific question: Provides a subjective summary of the literature on a topic
A systematic literature review aims to comprehensively identify, select, and analyze all relevant studies on a specific research question using a rigorous methodology. It summarizes findings qualitatively. On the other hand, a meta-analysis is a statistical technique applied within a systematic review.
The difference between a Systematic Review and a Literature Review, and why it matters. Evidence Pyramid The evidence pyramid (image above) visually depicts the evidential strength of different research designs.
'In basic terms, a systematic review is a protocol-driven, comprehensive literature review, usually designed to answer a specific clinical question' (Mayo Clinic Libraries) For a more detailed definition see Clarifying differences between review designs and methods by David Gough, James Thomas & Sandy Oliver. Also see our Systematic Reviews page and the Systematic Review Guide by Curtin ...
Literature Review: it is a product and a process. As a product, it is a carefully written examination, interpretation, evaluation, and synthesis of the published literature related to your topic.It focuses on what is known about your topic and what methodologies, models, theories, and concepts have been applied to it by others.. The process is what is involved in conducting a review of the ...
Acommon type of submission at any Journal is a review of the published information related to a topic.These are often returned to their authors without review, usually because they are literature reviews rather than systematic reviews. There is a big difference between the two (Table 1).Here, we summarise the differences, how they are used in academic work, and why a general literature review ...
Both systematic and literature (or comprehensive) reviews are a gathering of available information on a certain subject. The difference comes in the depth of the research and the reporting of the conclusions. Let's take a look. A literature or comprehensive review brings together information on a topic in order to provide an overview of the ...
A literature review is a systematic way of collecting and synthesizing previous research (Snyder, 2019).An integrative literature review provides an integration of the current state of knowledge as a way of generating new knowledge (Holton, 2002).HRDR is labeling Integrative Literature Review as one of the journal's four non-empirical research article types as in theory and conceptual ...
They aim to summarise the best available evidence on a particular research topic. The main differences between traditional reviews and systematic reviews are summarised below in terms of the following characteristics: Authors, Study protocol, Research question, Search strategy, Sources of literature, Selection criteria, Critical appraisal ...
A meta-analysis is a type of systematic review that summarises and compares data using statistical techniques. Aim/Definition. A scholarly literature review summarises evidence on a topic using a formal writing style and adopting qualitative data collection methods to select and interpret studies. Can involve some quantitative analysis.
Rapid review. Assessment of what is already known about a policy or practice issue, by using systematic review methods to search and critically appraise existing research. Completeness of searching determined by time constraints. Time-limited formal quality assessment. Typically narrative and tabular.
A systematic review is a firmly structured literature review, undertaken according to a fixed plan, system or method. As such, it is highly focused on a particular and explicit topic area with strict research parameters. Systematic reviews will often have a detailed plan known as a protocol, which is a statement of the approach and methods to ...
A systematic review is also a type of a literature review. The main difference between literature review and systematic review is their focus on the research question; a systematic review is focused on a specific research question whereas a literature review is not. This article highlights, 1. What is a Literature Review?
What is a literature review? Definition: A literature review is a systematic examination and synthesis of existing scholarly research on a specific topic or subject. Purpose: It serves to provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of knowledge within a particular field. Analysis: Involves critically evaluating and summarizing key findings, methodologies, and debates found in ...
There are many different types of literature reviews from traditional literature reviews to rigorous systematic reviews. Each has its own methodology. Please review resources on this page and familiarize yourself with the task, commitment, and purpose of each before trying to decide on the type of review best fitting your research question.
When the word "review" alone is used to describe a research paper, the first thing that should come to mind is that it is a literature review. Almost every researcher starts off their career with literature reviews. To know the difference between a systematic review and a literature review, read on here. Traditional literature reviews are ...
The essential difference between an LSR and updated systematic reviews is "an explicit and a priori commitment to keeping the systematic review as current as possible with a predetermined frequency of search and review updating" (Elliott et al., 2017). The second notable distinction in terms of significance pertains to the publication format.
Systematic literature review workflows are rigorous, evidence-based processes involving multiple subject matter experts within an organization. These experts meticulously evaluate research findings to align and agree on answers to specific research questions. Whether SLR workflows are manual or automated using literature review management ...
To evaluate, through a systematic literature review, whether periodontal status in HIV-infected individuals is different from those non-HIV-infected. Materials and Methods. A systematic search for published observational studies within six electronic databases and grey literature was conducted, PROSPERO database number CRD42020160062.
The extensive and comprehensive systematic review and meta analysis of Shool et al (Citation 2024) complements the work of Liu et al. (Citation 2008), the only systematic review on motorcycle helmet use and injury outcomes in the Cochrane database. Shool and collaborators aimed to identify the underlying causes of the variation in helmet usage ...
Exploring the Relationship between Inhaled Corticosteroid Usage, Asthma Severity, and Sleep-Disordered Breathing: A Systematic Literature Review Adv Respir Med . 2024 Aug 9;92(4):300-317. doi: 10.3390/arm92040029.