Reviews of Literature in Nursing Research: Methodological Considerations and Defining Characteristics

ANS Adv Nurs Sci. 2022 Jul-Sep;45(3):197-208. doi: 10.1097/ANS.0000000000000418. Epub 2022 Feb 24.

Abstract

Despite the availability of guidelines about the different types of review literature, the identification of the best approach is not always clear for nursing researchers. Therefore, in this article, we provide a comprehensive guide to be used by health care and nursing scholars while choosing among 4 popular types of reviews (narrative, integrative, scoping, and systematic review), including a descriptive discussion, critical analysis, and decision map tree. Although some review methodologies are more rigorous, it would be inaccurate to say that one is preferable over the others. Instead, each methodology is adequate for a certain type of investigation, nursing methodology research, and research paradigm.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Delivery of Health Care
  • Humans
  • Nursing Research*
  • Research Design
  • Research Personnel
  • Review Literature as Topic*