Type of Review and How to Get Started

Literature reviews provide a method by which to synthesize and present available information on a given topic. There are two main types of reviews: systematic reviews and narrative reviews. Systematic reviews are defined by their detailed research questions and explicit methodology in identifying the appropriate resources to answer the research question. These reviews require more time to conduct but provide conclusions that are reproducible and are less biased by the views of the author. Narrative reviews do not have a set methodology, but can be performed quickly, and may include the use of non-peer-reviewed sources of information such as editorials, interviews and/or expert opinion. Both review types have their advantages, which are discussed in this chapter.