Stage 1: Getting Started: Step 2: What Type of Review to Conduct
Is a Synthesis Review Right for You?
In comparison to traditional literature reviews, synthesis reviews require an extensive time commitment and are a collaborative rather than individual effort. The amount of time and effort will depend on the type of review, and the type of review will depend on your research question.
To help identify whether a synthesis review is a realistic method for your proposed study, reflect on the following statements:
If you are doing a synthesis review...
If you are confident that a synthesis review is feasible and the best method for your study, you may begin the first part of your journey - choosing the type of review.
Choose the Type of Synthesis Review Appropriate for your Study
Different literature reviews serve different purposes and employ distinct methods. When determining what review type will best meet your needs, you will want to take into account:
- the aim(s) of the project,
- the type of research question, and
- the type of data in the primary studies that will be included (e.g., quantitative, qualitative, mixed).
There may be practical considerations that will constrain your options. You can consider:
The following is a list of common (but not exhaustive) types of synthesis reviews that may suit your research purposes (source: Deakin University LibGuide):
Additional Resources
The following is not an exhaustive list of resources. You are encouraged to seek out additional resources based on the needs of your specific project.
Meeting the review family: exploring review types and associated information retrieval requirements. Sutton A, Clowes M, Preston L, Booth A. Health Info Libr J. 2019 Sep;36(3):202-222. doi: 10.1111/hir.12276. PMID: 31541534 - A typology of reviews: an analysis of 14 review types and associated methodologies. Grant, M. J., & Booth, A. (2009). Health Information & Libraries Journal, 26(2), 91-108.
- Time to challenge the spurious hierarchy of systematic over narrative reviews.
- Systematic review or scoping review? Guidance for authors when choosing between a systematic or scoping review approach. Munn, Z., Peters, M.D.J., Stern, C. et al. (2018)BMC Med Res Methodol 18, 143.
Systematic Reviews
- Cochrane Handbook (also employed for Campbell Collaboration Systematic Reviews)
Scoping Reviews
- JBI Manual For Evidence Synthesis, Chapter 11 Scoping Reviews
- Arksey, H., & O'Malley, L. (2005). Scoping studies: towards a methodological framework. International journal of social research methodology, 8(1), 19-32.