Systematic Reviews: Overview

A systematic review aims to identify, evaluate, and synthesize all empirical evidence that meets predefined eligibility criteria to address a specific research question. Researchers conducting systematic reviews use explicit, systematic methods designed to minimize bias, resulting in more reliable findings to inform decision-making.

Source: Cochrane Consumers and Communications (infographics are free to use and licensed under Creative Commons)

Systematic Reviews: a Simplified, Step-by-Step Process © 2021 by Emily P. Jones & Michelle Cawley is licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0.

Narrative Review 

• A.K.A Traditional Literature Review
• Searches for literature across a certain subject and synthesizes what is learned as a general overview.
• Useful to prepare for future research by noting gaps and critiquing current research.
• Usually not reproducible or exhaustive.

Scoping Review 

• Broader than a systematic review.
• Aims to describe or map the literature already known about a topic even beyond Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles.
• Look for gaps about a topic that inspire future research.

Rapid Review

• Knowledge synthesis that accelerates the process of conducting a traditional systematic review.
• Great to use for new or emerging research topics, updates to older reviews, or critical topics. 
• Limitations include incomprehensive search and increased bias,

Umbrella Review

• Review of Reviews
• Assess quality of other reviews.
• Synthesizes evidence from other published systematic reviews and/or meta-analyses on a broad topic.

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