Types of Literature Review

1. Narrative Literature Review
Purpose: Provides a broad overview of the literature on a specific topic, synthesizing findings to identify patterns, gaps, or consensus in research.
Methodology: Usually lacks a strict protocol; focuses on summarizing and interpreting findings rather than comprehensive coverage.
Application: Useful for introducing a research area, setting the scene for more detailed analyses, or discussing the historical context of a field.
2. Systematic Literature Review (SLR)
Purpose: Seeks to address a specific research question with a well-defined, reproducible methodology, aiming for exhaustive coverage of relevant studies.
Methodology: Involves a rigorous and transparent search process, often using predefined criteria, to select and evaluate studies; may involve quantitative meta-analysis.
Application: Common in medical, social sciences, and policy-related research where robust evidence synthesis is critical.
3. Meta-Analysis
Purpose: Quantitatively combines results from multiple studies to assess the overall effect size or to determine generalizable findings.
Methodology: Relies on statistical techniques to aggregate data from similar studies, providing a high level of synthesis.
Application: Often used in clinical, psychology, and education research to determine trends or the effectiveness of specific interventions.
4. Scoping Review
Purpose: Maps the existing literature on a broad topic to identify key concepts, gaps, and the range of research available.
Methodology: Similar to an SLR but with less rigid inclusion criteria; focuses on breadth over depth.
Application: Ideal for emerging fields where research is still evolving or when setting the stage for a future systematic review.
5. Theoretical Literature Review
Purpose: Examines theoretical frameworks, models, and concepts related to a particular field of study, discussing their development and applications.
Methodology: Focuses on synthesizing and critiquing existing theories, proposing new theoretical perspectives if necessary.
Application: Often found in social sciences, humanities, and interdisciplinary fields to establish theoretical context.
6. Integrative Review
Purpose: Synthesizes diverse types of literature, including empirical and theoretical studies, to create a more comprehensive understanding of a topic.
Methodology: Involves a flexible methodology that can include both qualitative and quantitative studies.
Application: Useful for generating new perspectives or theoretical frameworks, often seen in health sciences, psychology, and education.
7. Critical Literature Review
Purpose: Analyzes and critiques the literature to identify methodological strengths and weaknesses, biases, and gaps in research.
Methodology: Involves detailed evaluation and comparison, often emphasizing limitations and areas for improvement in past studies.
Application: Common in dissertations and thesis research to highlight the rationale for a new study.
8. Argumentative Literature Review
Purpose: Examines literature to support or refute an argument or hypothesis, often highlighting controversial areas.
Methodology: Selects and interprets studies selectively to address a particular stance, contrasting viewpoints to develop an argument.
Application: Suitable for research areas with conflicting theories or when proposing a new perspective on a debated topic.
9. Historical Literature Review
Purpose: Traces the historical development and evolution of a concept, theory, or research area over time.
Methodology: Chronologically analyzes key developments and breakthroughs, often identifying shifts in research paradigms.
Application: Common in social sciences, education, and philosophy, helping understand the origins and evolution of research trends.