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MBS Program Guide

Library resources and services supporting students enrolled in College of Graduate Studies MBS Program.

What is a Literature Review?

Types of Literature Review

Literature (Narrative) Review

Literature Reviews, Narrative Reviews, and Traditional Reviews are broad terms that refer to reviews that have a wide scope and follow a non-standardized methodology. This type of review can be used to answer broad questions. The search strategies, comprehensiveness, and time range covered can all vary and do not follow an established protocol.

Rapid Review

Rapid Reviews follow the same basic methodology as Systematic Reviews, with the aim of being completed in a fraction of the time. The shortened time frame can be achieved by simplifying the procedures used in a Systematic Review. Care should be taken to maintain high standards of transparency and the minimization of bias.

Scoping Review

A Scoping Review, much like a Systematic Review, looks to systematically and transparently collect and categorize the existing evidence in order to answer a broad question or multiple research questions. Scoping Reviews can be used to identify key characteristics or factors related to the research question, to identify gaps in the available research, or as a precursor to a systematic review.

Umbrella Review

An Umbrella Review is a Systematic Review of other Systematic Reviews. The question being researched is often broader than with a typical Systematic Review. An Umbrella Review is most useful when comparing competing interventions.

Systematic Review

Systematic Reviews aim to systematically collect and synthesize all the available evidence in order to answer a specific research question. Systematic Reviews are conducted in a way that ensures review is unbiased, reproducible, and transparent. Systematic Reviews are much more time intensive than Narrative Literature Reviews.

Meta Analysis

A Meta-Analysis uses statistical methods to evaluate, synthesize, and summarize the findings of different quantitative studies. It can be conducted independently or as a part of a systematic review.

Which is Right for You?

Now that you know about the different types of literature reviews how do you know which is best for you? It can be difficult to select the right type of review for your project. Luckily there are tools available that can help you make that decision.

Find Out More!

You can find out more about literature reviews by visiting the library's Perform an Evidence Synthesis LibGuide. Literature reviews are frequently referred to as evidence syntheses and the two terms are often used interchangeably. 

In the Perform an Evidence Synthesis LibGuide you will find information about:

  • Evidence synthesis in health sciences
  • Protocols and reporting for evidence synthesis
  • Tools you can use for your evidence synthesis
  • Steps in an evidence synthesis
  • How to Fill out a PRISMA Flow Diagram

How Can We Help?

The Roseman University Library is here to help you with your literature review projects. We can provide consultations to get you started or even provide long-term support if needed. Some of the things the library can help you with include:

  • Providing an overview of the systematic review process
  • Help identify relevant databases and grey literature resources
  • Design and implement comprehensive search strategies
  • Using citation management software such as EndNote or Zotero
  • Retrieving full-text articles
  • Writing the methods section

If you'd like to schedule a consultation with a librarian click on the button below!