Label Description Search Appraisal Synthesis Analysis

Critical Aims to Seeks to No formal Typically Significant

review demonstrate identify quality narrative, component:
writer has significant assessment. perhaps seeks to
extensively items in Attempts to conceptual identify
researched the field. evaluate or conceptual
literature and according to chronologic contribution
critically contribution. al. to embody
evaluated its existing or
quality. Goes derive new
beyond mere theory.
description to
include degree
of analysis and
conceptual
innovation.
Typically
results in
hypothesis or
model.
Literatur Generic term: May or May or may Typically Analysis
e review published may not not include narrative. may be
materials that include quality chronologica
provide comprehe assessment. l,
examination of nsive conceptual,
recent or searching. thematic,
current
literature. Can
cover wide
 range of
subjects at
various levels
of
completeness
and
comprehensiv
eness. May
include
research
findings.
Map out and Characterize
categorize s quantity
existing and quality
Completen
literature from of literature,
ess of
which to perhaps by
Mapping searching
commission No formal May be study design
review/ determine
further reviews quality graphical and other
systemat d by
and/or primary assessment. and tabular. key features.
ic map time/scope
research by May identify
constraints
identifying need for
.
gaps in primary or
research secondary
literature. research.
Meta- Technique that Aims for Quality Graphical Numerical
analysis statistically exhaustive assessment and tabular analysis of
combines the searching. may with measures of
results of May use determine narrative effect
quantitative funnel plot inclusion/excl commentar assuming
studies to to assess usion and/or y. absence of
provide a more completen sensitivity heterogeneit
 precise effect
ess. analyses. y.
of the results.
Refers to any
combination of
methods
Analysis
where one Typically
may
significant both
characterize
component is component
Requires both
a literature Requires s will be
either very literatures
review (usually either a presented
sensitive and look for
systematic). generic as narrative
Mixed search to correlations
Within a appraisal and in
studies retrieve all between
review context instrument or tables. May
review/ studies or characteristi
it refers to a separate also
mixed separately cs or use
combination of appraisal employ
methods conceived gap analysis
review processes graphical
review quantitativ to identify
approaches for with means of
e and aspects
example correspondin integrating
qualitative absent in
combining g checklists. quantitative
strategies. one
quantitative and
literature but
with qualitative qualitative
missing in
research or studies.
the other.
outcome with
process
studies.
Overview Generic term: May or May or may Synthesis Analysis
summary of may not not include depends on may be
the [medical] include quality whether chronologica
literature that comprehe assessment systematic l,
attempts to nsive (depends or not. conceptual,
survey the searching whether Typically thematic,
 (depends narrative
literature and whether systematic but may
describe its systematic overview or include etc.
characteristics. overview not). tabular
or not). features.
Method for
integrating or
comparing the
Qualitativ
findings from Quality
e
qualitative May assessment
systemat Thematic
studies. It employ typically used
ic review/ Qualitative, analysis,
looks for selective to mediate
qualitativ narrative may include
themes or or messages not
e synthesis. conceptual
constructs purposive for
evidence models.
that lie in or sampling. inclusion/excl
synthesi
across usion.
s
individual
qualitative
studies.
Rapid Assessment of Completen Time-limited Typically Quantities of
review what is already ess of formal quality narrative literature
known about a searching assessment. and tabular. and overall
policy or determine quality/direct
practice issue, d by time ion of effect
by using constraints of literature.
systematic .
review
methods to
search and
critically
appraise
 existing
research.
Preliminary
assessment of
potential size Completen Characterize
and scope of ess of s quantity
available searching and quality
research determine Typically of literature,
literature. Aims d by tabular with perhaps by
No formal
Scoping to identify time/scope some study design
quality
review nature and constraints narrative and other
assessment.
extent of . May commentar key features.
research include y. Attempts to
evidence research specify a
(usually in viable
including progress. review.
ongoing
research).
State-of- Tend to Aims for No formal Typically Current
the-art address more comprehe quality narrative, state of
review current nsive assessment. may have knowledge
matters in searching tabular and priorities
contrast to of current accompani for future
other literature. ment. investigation
combined and
retrospective research.
and current
approaches.
May offer new
perspectives
on issue or
 point out area
for further
research.
What is
known;
Seeks to recommend
systematically ations for
search for, practice.
Aims for Quality
appraise and Typically What
exhaustive assessment
synthesis narrative remains
Systemat , may
research with tabular unknown;
ic review comprehe determine
evidence, accompani uncertainty
nsive inclusion/excl
often adhering ment. around
searching. usion.
to guidelines findings,
on the conduct recommend
of a review. ations for
future
research.
Systemat Combines Aims for May or may Minimal What is
ic search strengths of exhaustive not include narrative, known;
and critical review , quality tabular recommend
review with a comprehe assessment. summary of ations for
comprehensiv nsive studies. practice.
e search searching. Limitations.
process.
Typically
addresses
broad
questions to
produce best
evidence
 synthesis.
Attempt to
include
elements of
systematic What is
review process May or known;
Typically
while stopping may not May or may uncertainty
Systemat narrative
short of include not include around
ized with tabular
systematic comprehe quality findings;
review accompani
review. nsive assessment. limitations of
ment.
Typically searching. methodology
conducted as .
postgraduate
student
assignment.
Umbrella Specifically Identificati Quality Graphical What is
review refers to on of assessment and tabular known;
review componen of studies with recommend
compiling t reviews, within narrative ations for
evidence from but no component commentar practice.
multiple search for reviews y. What
reviews into primary and/or of remains
one accessible studies. reviews unknown;
and usable themselves. recommend
document. ations for
Focuses on future
broad research.
condition or
problem for
which there
are competing
 interventions
and highlights
reviews that
address these
interventions
and their
results.