Targeted literature searches are a fundamental part of writing clinical manuscripts that will meet the standards of high-quality journals and contribute meaningfully to evidence-based practice. When physicians write clinical manuscripts, utilizing a targeted literature search can identify high-quality, relevant, and current evidence. While a general literature review is useful, a targeted literature search is specific to the clinical question and should be completed through frameworks established, such as PICO (Population, Intervention, Comparator, Outcome) and PRISMA [1].
Introduction to Review Articles: Writing Systematic and Narrative Reviews
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Introduction to Review Articles: Writing Systematic and Narrative Reviews
Review articles are a vital part of academic research and integrate prior research, identify gaps in the literature, and reveal the implications for future studies. Review articles differ from original research articles because there are no new original experimental findings; rather, they analyze and summarize findings across several studies. The literature typically identifies two types of reviews: systematic reviews and narrative reviews. An understanding of the differences and methodology of the two types is extremely important for researchers, academicians, and students who use review articles. [1]
1. Systematic Reviews
A systematic review is a structured and thorough way of identifying, evaluating, and synthesizing all the available evidence related to a specific research question. The purpose is to limit the impact of bias through a specific approach. Systematic reviews are often the basis for evidence-based practice in healthcare, psychology, and social sciences. [2]
1.1. Key Steps in Conducting a Systematic Review
- Craft a Research Question: A popular way to formulate a research question is using the PICO model or framework (Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome).
- Develop Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria: Decide the inclusion and exclusion criteria concerning each of the studies using factors like study design, population, and outcomes. [3]
- Comprehensive Literature Search: Use different databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science to try to identify all relevant studies.
- Screening & Selection: Evaluate title, abstract, and full text to see if they fit your criteria and select studies.
- Quality Assessment: Determine the methodological quality of the studies included in the review (i.e., risk of bias) using something like the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. [4]
- Data Extraction & Synthesis: Extract key data on the studies, and if possible, run meta-analysis/review to synthesize the quantitative findings.
- Conclusions & Interpretation: Write conclusions, based on the evidence that you synthesized from the literature, and include discussions about implications, limitations, & future considerations.
1.2. Example Table: Systematic Review Data Extraction
Study | Population | Intervention | Outcome | Key Findings |
Smith et al., 2020 | 200 adults with hypertension | Exercise program | Blood pressure reduction | Significant reduction in systolic BP |
Lee et al.,2019 | 150 elderly | Dietary intervention | Weight loss | Moderate weight loss observed |
2. Narrative Reviews
A descriptive summary of existing literature without a pre-planned systematic route is a narrative review. These reviews present a broad view of a topic and typically allow for more flexibility, which can be useful for theoretical purposes or when evidence is limited. [5]
2.1. Key Steps in Conducting a Narrative Review:
- Topic Selection: Choose an area to research that is either needing summation or conceptual understanding.
- Literature Search: Locate paramount studies from databases, journals, and other relevant sources.
- Organizing Information: Sort the findings thematically or chronologically.
- Critical Discussion: Trend analysis, key findings, and gaps.
- Conclusion: Summary of finding(s) and proposal of future research directions.
2.2. Example Table: Narrative Review Themes
Theme | Key Studies | Summary |
Technology in Education | Johnson, 2018; Smith, 2019 | Technology enhances engagement but may increase screen time |
Teacher Training | Lee, 2020; Kumar, 2019 | Professional development improves instructional quality |
3. Comparing Systematic and Narrative Reviews
Feature | Systematic Review | Narrative Review |
Purpose | Comprehensive evidence synthesis | Broad discussion and interpretation |
Methodology | Structured, predefined | Flexible, thematic |
Bias | Minimized | Higher risk of bias |
Data Synthesis | Quantitative or qualitative | Primarily qualitative |
Time Required | High | Moderate to low |
4. Writing and Formatting Tips
- Clarity and Precision: Clearly define aims and scope.
- Tables and Figures: Visual display assists in summarizing complicated information.
- References: correctly identify all sources using APA, MLA, or appropriate style.
- Critical Analysis: Don’t only summarize but assess the quality and consequences of the studies.
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Conclusion
Both systematic and narrative review articles are important to the synthesis of prior knowledge and to the advancement of the field in the future. Systematic reviews provide an organized, comprehensive, and evidence-based synthesis, which may be applied to practice or policy decisions. Meanwhile, narrative reviews provide a flexible form of literature synthesis in one succinct theme, identifying trends and gaps. Both forms require exhaustive literature evaluation, critical analysis, and clear conclusions. The choice of options, whether systematic or narrative review articles, is driven by the research question, evidence, and desired analysis depth.
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References
- Gregory, A. T., & Denniss, A. R. (2018). An introduction to writing narrative and systematic reviews – tasks, tips and traps for aspiring authors. Heart, Lung & Circulation, 27(7), 893–898. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hlc.2018.03.027
- Brignardello-Petersen, R., Santesso, N., & Guyatt, G. H. (2025). Systematic reviews of the literature: an introduction to current methods. American journal of epidemiology, 194(2), 536–542. https://doi.org/10.1093/aje/kwae232
- Patino, C. M., & Ferreira, J. C. (2018). Inclusion and exclusion criteria in research studies: definitions and why they matter. Jornal brasileiro de pneumologia : publicacao oficial da Sociedade Brasileira de Pneumologia e Tisilogia, 44(2), 84. https://doi.org/10.1590/s1806-37562018000000088
- JABSOM Library. (2019, June 28). Systematic review toolbox. Hawaii.edu. https://hslib.jabsom.hawaii.edu/systematicreview/qualityassessment
- Sukhera J. (2022). Narrative Reviews: Flexible, Rigorous, and Practical. Journal of graduate medical education, 14(4), 414–417. https://doi.org/10.4300/JGME-D-22-00480.1