What is the difference between systematic and literature reviews?
As stated previously, systematic reviews are focused on a unique research question and include a protocol as well as a review team. Literature reviews, on the other hand, are an overview of the topic gathered by an individual or smaller search team. Literature reviews state what articles have been published, who key authors or researchers are, what specific or broad questions are being asked, what methods researchers use, and what theories and hypotheses are currently being researched. They seek to build a core of research instead of delving into one specific question.
The following table compares the two types of reviews:
Comparison of Systematic Reviews and Literature Reviews
|
Systematic Reviews |
Literature Reviews |
Goal: |
Synthesize, analyze, and provide an unbiased review of a research question.
|
Gather definitive and unique information on topic into one location through detailed search queries. |
Timeframe: |
12-18 months to complete |
Few weeks to several months |
Who: |
Completed by a team including reviewers, statisticians or economists, librarians or expert searchers |
Librarian or expert searcher |
Organization: |
Uses PRISMA standards for process. |
Can use a variety of structures, at least an introduction, body, and conclusion. |
Search Methods: |
Collaborates with a librarian or expert searcher to develop a search protocol. |
Uses specific search queries using appropriate databases, controlled vocabularies (including MeSH terms), operators, syntax, and filters to gather information. |
Literature reviews are meant to review a variety of articles, case studies, reports, and other research information, not answer or ask research questions like the systematic reviews. When published, they provide a useful and necessary frame of reference in the scientific community by establishing key discussions or information about the topic. Additional resources and examples of systematic reviews and literature reviews are below.
Further reading
For more information on Systematic Reviews:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Systematic Reviews Site: https://www.cdc.gov/library/researchguides/systematicreviews.html
Duke Biomedical Library Systematic Review Guide: https://guides.mclibrary.duke.edu/sysreview/home
Pollock, A., & Berge, E. (2018). How to do a systematic review. International Journal of Stroke, 13(2), 138–156. https://doi.org/10.1177/1747493017743796
Links to Systematic Reviews:
Cullis, P. S., Gudlaugsdottir, K., & Andrews, J. (2017). A systematic review of the quality of conduct and reporting of systematic reviews and meta-analyses in paediatric surgery. PLoS ONE, 12(4). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0175213: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5383307/
Fadlallah, R., El-Jardali, F., Nomier, M., Hemadi, N., Arif, K., Langlois, E. V., & Akl, E. A. (2019). Using narratives to impact health policy-making: A systematic review. Health Research Policy and Systems, 17. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12961-019-0423-4: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6402129/
Pot, M. W., van Kuppevelt, T. H., Gonzales, V. K., Buma, P., IntHout, J., de Vries, R. B. M., & Daamen, W. F. (2017). Augmented cartilage regeneration by implantation of cellular versus acellular implants after bone marrow stimulation: A systematic review and meta-analysis of animal studies. PeerJ, 5. https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.3927: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5661456/
Thompson, W., Tonkin-Crine, S., Pavitt, S. H., McEachan, R. R. C., Douglas, G. V. A., Aggarwal, V. R., & Sandoe, J. A. T. (2019). Factors associated with antibiotic prescribing for adults with acute conditions: An umbrella review across primary care and a systematic review focusing on primary dental care. Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, 74(8), 2139–2152. https://doi.org/10.1093/jac/dkz152: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6640312/
For more information on Literature Reviews:
Florida Gulf Coast University Library, Literature Review (Healthcare): https://fgcu.libguides.com/c.php?g=65107&p=419881
University of California, Santa Cruz, Literature Review: https://guides.library.ucsc.edu/write-a-literature-review
University of Toronto, Literature Review Tips: http://advice.writing.utoronto.ca/types-of-writing/literature-review/
University of Wisconsin – Madison Writing Center, Literature Review Basics: https://writing.wisc.edu/handbook/assignments/reviewofliterature/
Links to Literature Reviews:
Alturkistani, H. A., Tashkandi, F. M., & Mohammedsaleh, Z. M. (2016). Histological stains: A literature review and case study. Global Journal of Health Science, 8(3), 72–79. https://doi.org/10.5539/gjhs.v8n3p72: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4804027/
Garcia-Schinzari, N. R., & Santos, F. S. (2014). Assistance to children in palliative care in the Brazilian scientific literature. Revista Paulista de Pediatria, 32(1), 99–106. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0103-05822014000100016: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4182999/
Lomoro, P., Verde, F., Zerboni, F., Simonetti, I., Borghi, C., Fachinetti, C., Natalizi, A., & Martegani, A. (2020). COVID-19 pneumonia manifestations at the admission on chest ultrasound, radiographs, and CT: Single-center study and comprehensive radiologic literature review. European Journal of Radiology Open, 7, 100231. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejro.2020.10023: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7129441/