Making Literature Reviews Work: A Multidisciplinary Guide to Systematic Approaches: A Multidisciplinary Guide to Systematic Approaches

✍ Scribed by Rob Dekkers, Lindsey Carey, Peter Langhorne

• Publisher: Springer
• Year: 2022
• Tongue: English
• Leaves: 602
• Category: Library

✦ Synopsis

This textbook guides the reader on how to undertake high-quality literature reviews, from traditional narrative to protocol-driven reviews. The guidance covers a broad range of purposes, disciplines and research paradigms.

Whether the literature review is part of a research project, doctoral study, dissertation or a stand-alone study, the book offers approaches, methods, tools, tips and guidelines to produce more effective literature reviews in an efficient manner. The numerous examples are drawn from an array of subject areas, such as economics, healthcare, education, medicine, psychology, software engineering amongst others. This makes it worthwhile for a wide range of studies and for reviews into evidence-based interventions, policies, practices and treatments. There is attention given to presenting, reporting and publishing literature reviews. With the additional clarity brought about by explanatory tables and graphs, this textbook is a ‘must-have’ for all students,researchers, academics and practitioners at any stage of their project or career when engaging with literature.

In addition, citizens, policymakers and practitioners will benefit from the guidance with better insight into how literature reviews could and should have been conducted.

✦ Table of Contents

Preface
Synopsis
What Are Literature Reviews About?
Narrative Overviews
Narrative Reviews
Systematic Literature Reviews
Systematic Reviews
Literature Reviews for Empirical Studies
Contents
About the Authors
About the Contributors
List of Figures
List of Tables
List of Boxes
1 Introduction
1.1 What Are [Systematic] Literature Reviews About?
1.2 Brief History of Systematic Reviews
1.3 Addressing Variety in Literature Reviews
1.3.1 Variety in Types of Literature Reviews
1.3.2 Specific Approaches for Disciplines
1.4 Scope and Outline of Book
1.4.1 What Does the Book Cover
1.4.2 What Does the Book Not Cover
1.4.3 Part I: Basic Concepts for Effective Literature Reviews
1.4.4 Part II: Quantitative Analysis and Synthesis
1.4.5 Part III: Qualitative Analysis and Synthesis
1.4.6 Part IV: Reporting Literature Reviews
1.4.7 Epilogue
1.5 How to Use This Book?
1.5.1 Type of Study and Use
1.5.2 Structure of Chapters
1.5.3 Informed Choices for Undertaking and Assessing Literature Reviews
1.6 Key Points for Book
References
Part I Basic Concepts for Effective Literature Reviews
2 Objectives and Positioning of [Systematic] Literature Reviews
2.1 Literature Sensitivity and Professional Knowledge
2.2 Research Processes and Literature Reviews
2.2.1 Basic Research Processes
2.2.2 Where Literature is Used and How in Empirical Studies
2.2.3 Solving Practical Problems and Use of Literature
2.3 Evaluating Literature
2.3.1 Difference Between Critical Evaluation and Critiquing
2.3.2 Elements of Appraisals
2.4 Synthesising Literature
2.5 Archetypes of Literature Reviews
2.5.1 Narrative Overviews
2.5.2 Narrative Reviews
2.5.3 Systematic Literature Reviews
2.5.4 Systematic Reviews
2.5.5 Umbrella Reviews
2.6 Propositional Logic and Literature Reviews
2.6.1 Brief Introduction to Propositional Logic
2.6.2 Overview of Literature Reviews Related to Propositional Logic
2.7 Research Paradigms and Literature Reviews
2.8 Avoiding Plagiarism
2.9 Key Points
2.10 How to …?
2.10.1 …€Select an Appropriate Approach to a Literature Review?
2.10.2 … Evaluate Which Studies Are of Interest for a Review
2.10.3 … Avoid Plagiarism
2.10.4 …€Write a Literature Review
References
3 Quality of Literature Reviews
3.1 Quality Based on Fitness for Purpose as Frame of Reference for Literature Reviews
3.2 Quality Based on Archetypes of Literature Reviews
3.2.1 Narrative Overview
3.2.2 Narrative Review
3.2.3 Systematic Literature Review
3.2.4 Systematic Review
3.2.5 Relating the Archetypes to Quality of the Review
3.2.6 Criteria for Systematic Literature Reviews and Systematic Reviews
3.3 Associating Research Paradigms with Literature Reviews
3.3.1 Distinguishing Between Idiographic and Nomothetic Research
3.3.2 Background to Research Paradigms
3.3.3 (Post)Positivist Perspectives and Archetypes of Literature Reviews
3.3.4 Interpretivist Perspectives and Archetypes of Literature Reviews
3.3.5 Extending the Interpretivist Approach to Academic Mastery
3.3.6 Hermeneutic Perspectives on Literature Reviews
3.4 Quality by Effectively Linking Literature Reviews to Empirical Studies
3.5 Quality by Evidencing Engagement with Consulted Studies
3.5.1 Close Reading
3.5.2 Achieving Rigour for Citations-In-Text
3.6 Key Points
3.7 How to …
3.7.1 … Evaluate the Quality of a Literature Review
3.7.2 … Achieve a Higher Degree of Accuracy in Literature Reviews
3.7.3 … Write Literature Reviews
References
4 Developing Review Questions
4.1 Differentiating Research Objectives and Review Questions
4.2 What Are Good Questions for a Literature Review?
4.2.1 Guiding Collection and Analysis of Literature
4.2.2 Single Guiding Question as Point of Reference
4.2.3 Narrowly Focused
4.2.4 Clarity of Good Review Questions
4.2.5 Assuming Possibility of Different Outcomes or Opinions
4.2.6 Building on Sound Assumptions
4.3 Starting Points for Review Questions
4.3.1 From Generic to Specific and Vice Versa
4.3.2 Establishing Causation
4.3.3 Testing and Falsification of Theories
4.3.4 Considering the Spatial Dimension
4.3.5 Considering the Temporal Dimension
4.3.6 Artefacts, Methods and Tools
4.3.7 Setting and Evaluating Policy
4.3.8 Investigating Assumptions
4.3.9 Rigour and Reliability
4.4 Population-Intervention-[Comparison]-Outcome
4.4.1 Root Format Population-Intervention-Outcome
4.4.2 Format Population-Intervention-Comparison-Outcome and Other Variants
4.4.3 Enhancing Population-Intervention-Outcome by Using Models
4.4.4 Using Theories and Laws of Observed Regularities
4.5 Scoping Study for Review Questions
4.5.1 Scoping Review as Protocol-Driven Literature Review
4.5.2 Scoping Study for Topical Mapping
4.6 Key Points
4.7 How to …?
4.7.1 … Develop Review Questions That Are Worthwhile
4.7.2 … Conduct and Time a Scoping Review or Scoping Study
4.7.3 … Write a Literature Review
References
5 Search Strategies for [Systematic] Literature Reviews
5.1 Criteria for Retrieving Publications
5.2 Types of Sources
5.2.1 Primary Sources
5.2.2 Secondary Sources
5.2.3 Tertiary Sources
5.2.4 Propositional Writings
5.2.5 Professional Publications
5.2.6 Other Types of Publications and Sources
5.3 Iterative Search Strategy
5.4 Keywords, Controlled Vocabulary and Database Search Strategies
5.4.1 Defining Keywords as Search Terms
5.4.2 Search Operators
5.4.3 Field Searching
5.4.4 Controlled Vocabulary
5.4.5 Selecting Databases
5.4.6 Using Databases and Search Engines
5.4.7 On Using Publishers’ Databases
5.5 Other Search Strategies
5.5.1 Hand Searching
5.5.2 Snowballing
5.5.3 Backward and Forward Searching
5.5.4 Root and Branch Searches
5.5.5 Citation Pearl Growing
5.5.6 Expert Panels
5.6 Enhancing Effectiveness of Search Strategies
5.6.1 Determining Saturation When Searching
5.6.2 Trading Off Specificity and Sensitivity
5.6.3 Complementary Search Strategies
5.6.4 Expert Panels
5.7 Grey Literature
5.8 Undertaking the Search and Recording Results
5.9 Scoping Reviews and Scoping Studies for Search Strategy
5.10 Key Points
5.11 How to …?
5.11.1 … Set an Appropriate Search Strategy
5.11.2 ... Determine Which Type of Sources to Consider
5.11.3 ... Write a Literature Review
References
6 Setting Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria
6.1 Filtering for Relevant Sources
6.2 Inclusion Criteria
6.2.1 Content
6.2.2 Date of Publication
6.2.3 Language
6.2.4 Types of Source
6.2.5 Research Design and Method
6.2.6 Sampling
6.2.7 Data Analysis
6.3 Exclusion Criteria
6.4 Quality of Evidence
6.4.1 Hierarchy of Evidence Pyramid—Systematic Reviews
6.4.2 GRADE: Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations
6.4.3 Quality of Evidence for Qualitative Analysis and Synthesis
6.5 Determining Level of Evidence for Other Archetypes
6.6 Scoping Reviews and Scoping Studies for Setting Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria
6.7 Key Points
6.8 How to …?
6.8.1 … Set Effective Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria
6.8.2 … Evaluate the Quality of Evidence in Studies
6.8.3 … Write a Literature Review
References
Part II Quantitative Analysis and Synthesis
7 Principles of Meta-Analysis
7.1 Introduction to Meta-Analysis
7.2 Basics of Meta-Analysis
7.2.1 Conditions for Applicability
7.2.2 Use of Data in Meta-Analysis
7.2.3 Process for Meta-Analysis
7.3 Identifying and Coding Variables and Attributes for Inclusion in Meta-Analysis
7.4 Models for Calculating Effect Sizes
7.4.1 Common-Effect Models
7.4.2 Fixed-Effects Models
7.4.3 Random-Effects Models
7.4.4 Mixed-Effects Models
7.4.5 Meta-Regression
7.5 Common Measures for Effect Size Used in Meta-Analysis
7.5.1 Standardised Mean Difference
7.5.2 Weighted Mean Difference
7.5.3 Odds Ratio and Risk Ratio
7.5.4 Correlation Coefficients, Proportions and Standardised Gain Scores (Change Scores)
7.6 Methods for Meta-Analysis
7.7 Determining Between-Study Heterogeneity
7.7.1 Distinguishing Types of Between-Study Heterogeneity
7.7.2 Determining Statistical Heterogeneity
7.7.3 Forest Plot
7.7.4 Funnel Plot
7.7.5 L’Abbé Plot
7.7.6 (Galbraith) Radial Plot
7.8 Publication Bias and Sensitivity Analysis
7.8.1 Assessing Publication Bias
7.8.2 Sensitivity Analysis
7.9 Assessing Quality of Meta-Analysis
7.10 Key Points
7.11 How to …?
7.11.1 … Choose the Most Appropriate Statistical Method for Meta-Analysis
7.11.2 … Write A Literature Review
References
8 Meta-Analysis in Action: The Cochrane Collaboration
8.1 Background
8.2 Cochrane Collaboration
8.3 Cochrane Reviews
8.3.1 Question Choice
8.3.2 Identifying Relevant Studies
8.3.3 Analysing Results
8.3.4 Potential Sources of Bias
8.3.5 Biases in the Systematic Review Process
8.3.6 Analysing Data (Including Meta-Analysis)
8.3.7 Alternatives to Meta-Analysis
8.3.8 Summary of Findings
8.3.9 Drawing Conclusions
8.4 Example of a Cochrane Review
8.4.1 Organised in Patient (Stroke Unit) Care
8.5 Advantages of Cochrane Reviews
8.5.1 What Features Indicate that Cochrane Reviews Are Reliable?
8.6 Challenges for the Cochrane Collaboration
8.7 Key Points
References
9 Other Quantitative Methods
9.1 Network Meta-Analysis: Making More Than One Comparison
9.1.1 Key Considerations in Network Meta-Analysis
9.1.2 Example of Network Meta-Analysis
9.2 Best-Evidence Synthesis
9.2.1 Conducting Best-Evidence Synthesis
9.2.2 Example: Exercise Prescription for Treating Shoulder Pathology
9.2.3 Example: Students’ Learning with Effective Learning Techniques
9.2.4 Strengths and Weaknesses of Best-Evidence Synthesis
9.3 Qualitative Modelling of Causal Relationships
9.4 Bibliometric Analysis
9.4.1 Purpose of Bibliometric Analysis
9.4.2 Conducting Bibliometric Analysis
9.4.3 Caveats of Bibliometric Analysis
9.4.4 Complementing Bibliometric Analysis
9.5 Systematic Quantitative Literature Reviews
9.5.1 What is It?
9.5.2 It is Systematic
9.5.3 Quantifying Literature
9.5.4 Methods for Analysis and Displaying Results
9.5.5 Conclusions
9.6 Key Points
References
Part III Qualitative Analysis and Synthesis
10 Principles of Qualitative Synthesis
10.1 Differentiating Qualitative Synthesis from Quantitative Synthesis
10.2 Purpose of Qualitative Synthesis
10.2.1 Aggregative Synthesis
10.2.2 Interpretive Synthesis
10.2.3 Supplementing Quantitative Synthesis
10.3 Selecting a Qualitative Review Approach
10.3.1 Overview of Methods for Qualitative Synthesis
10.3.2 Selecting a Method for Qualitative Synthesis
10.4 Qualitative Synthesis of Findings
10.4.1 Extraction of Data and Findings
10.4.2 Synthesising Findings
10.4.3 Software and Online Tools for Qualitative Synthesis
10.5 Quality Assessment for Qualitative Synthesis
10.5.1 Assessment of Quality of Studies in Qualitative Synthesis
10.5.2 Appraising Qualitative Synthesis
10.6 Key Points
10.7 How to …?
10.7.1 … Undertake a Qualitative Synthesis
10.7.2 … Select the Most Appropriate Method for Qualitative Synthesis
10.7.3 … Write a Literature Review
References
11 Methods for Qualitative Analysis and Synthesis
11.1 Meta-Summary: Aggregating Findings and Preparing for Meta-Synthesis
11.1.1 Some Caution Before Starting
11.1.2 Qualitative Meta-Summary
11.1.3 Some Dos and Don’ts
11.1.3.1 Do Not Forget to Translate
11.1.3.2 Do Aim at Synthesis
11.1.3.3 Do Not Exclude Too Much
11.1.3.4 Look at What Is NOT There
11.1.3.5 Look out for ‘No-Findings’ Reports
11.1.3.6 Be Cognisant of ‘Topical surveys’
11.1.3.7 Do Not Only Look at the Results Section
11.1.4 Overview of Meta-Synthesis Versus Meta-aggregation
11.2 Thematic Analysis and Thematic Synthesis
11.2.1 Thematic Analysis in Overview
11.2.2 Thematic Analysis Step-by-Step
11.2.3 Advantages and Disadvantages of Thematic Analysis as Qualitative Synthesis Approach
11.3 Meta-Ethnography
11.3.1 Seven Step Approach
11.3.2 Pros and Cons of Meta-Ethnography
11.4 Grounded Theory
11.4.1 Basics of Grounded Theory Methodology
11.4.2 Grounded Theory Meta-Synthesis
11.4.3 Limitations
11.5 Discourse Analysis
11.5.1 Application of Discourse Analysis to Systematic Literature Reviews
11.5.2 Trustworthiness
11.6 Key Points
References
12 Combining Quantitative and Qualitative Syntheses
12.1 Purpose of Mixed-Methods Synthesis
12.2 Approaches to Designs of Mixed-Methods Synthesis
12.3 Methods for Integrated Mixed-Methods Syntheses
12.3.1 Sequential Exploratory Method
12.3.2 Sequential Explanatory Method
12.3.3 Convergent Qualitative Method
12.3.4 Convergent Quantitative Method
12.4 Quality Criteria for Mixed-Methods Syntheses
12.5 Other Methods for Diversity in Mixed-Methods Synthesis
12.6 Key Points
12.7 How to …?
12.7.1 ... Select the Most Appropriate Method for Mixed-Methods Synthesis
12.7.2 ... Write a Literature Review
References
Part IV Presentation and Writing
13 Reporting Standards for Literature Reviews
13.1 Relevance of Adequate Reporting
13.2 Reporting Methods and Tools for Extraction of Data, Analysis and Synthesis
13.2.1 Methods
13.2.2 Protocols
13.2.3 Spreadsheets and Other Tools
13.2.4 Online Tools
13.3 Making Results and Findings Accessible
13.3.1 Annotated Bibliography
13.3.2 Chronological Reporting
13.3.3 Thematic Reporting
13.3.4 Tabulation and Visualisation
13.4 Formats for Reporting
13.4.1 PRISMA Reporting
13.4.2 Other Formats for Reporting
13.4.3 Domain-Specific Reporting Formats
13.5 What Not to be Reported
13.6 Key Points
13.7 How to …?
13.7.1 ... Report What is Needed
13.7.2 ... Identify What Needs No Reporting
13.7.3 ... Write a Literature Review
References
14 Data Management and Repositories for Literature Reviews
14.1 Data Management for Literature Reviews
14.2 Processes for Data Management
14.3 Repositories for Systematic Reviews
14.3.1 The Campbell Collaboration
14.3.2 Cochrane Library
14.3.3 Environmental Evidence Library of Evidence Syntheses
14.3.4 EPPI Centre
14.3.5 JBI
14.3.6 PROSPERO
14.3.7 Systematic Review Data Repository
14.4 Other Repositories
14.4.1 Academic Libraries
14.4.2 Scholarly Journals
14.4.3 Funding Councils
14.5 Preparing Data Sets for Repositories
14.6 Literature Reviews and Data Repositories Enabling Open Science
14.7 Key Points
References
15 Writing Literature Reviews
15.1 What Makes Writing Literature Reviews Different
15.2 Timing the Start of Writing
15.3 Getting to the Writing of Literature Reviews
15.4 Process of Writing
15.5 Gaining Proficiency in Writing
15.6 Improving Text Structure: Revisiting the Basics
15.6.1 Paragraphs
15.6.2 Sentences
15.6.3 Punctuation
15.6.4 Use of Aspirates
15.6.5 Vocabulary: Some Common Pitfalls
15.7 Avoiding Some Common Errors and Inaccuracies When Writing
15.7.1 How Can Accuracy in Writing Be Improved?
15.7.2 How Can Efficiency in Writing Be Improved?
15.7.3 Avoiding Common Mistakes
15.7.4 Added Value of Peer Review
15.8 Key Points
References
16 Publishing Literature Reviews
16.1 When is a Literature Review Worth Publishing
16.1.1 ‘So What?’ Test
16.1.2 Articulation of Contribution to Scholarly Knowledge
16.2 Selecting Journals
16.3 Final Preparation of Manuscript
16.3.1 Taking Advantage from Feedback by Peers
16.3.2 Making It Happen
16.3.3 Letter to the Editor
16.4 Processes of Submission and Review
16.4.1 Submission and Initial Check
16.4.2 Review by Journal
16.4.3 Decision by Editor
16.4.4 Processes After Acceptance
16.4.5 Special Issues
16.4.6 Publication Fees and Open Access
16.5 Review Processes
16.5.1 Double-Blind Peer Review Process
16.5.2 Single-Blind Peer Review Process
16.5.3 Open Peer Review Processes
16.5.4 Other Types of Review Processes
16.6 Revising the Manuscript
16.7 Key Points
References
Epilogue
17 The Dissenting Voices
17.1 Literature Reviews as Activation
17.2 And Caution Nurtures Craftsmanship
17.3 Balancing the Approach to Literature Reviews for Those Starting Out
References
Correction to: Developing Review Questions
Correction to: Chapter 4 in: R. Dekkers et al., Making Literature Reviews Work: A Multidisciplinary Guide to Systematic Approaches, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-90025-0_4
Appendix A Generic, Specialist Databases and Search Engines
A.1. Generic Databases and Search Engines
A.2. Business and Management Studies
A.3. Economics
A.4. Education
A.5. Engineering
A.6. Geography and Environmental Science
A.7. Information Systems
A.8. Law
A.9. Life Sciences
A.10. Medicine and Nursing
A.11. Psychology
A.12. Social Sciences
Appendix B List of Journals Publishing Only Literature Reviews
B.1. Generic
B.2. Business and Management Studies
B.3. Chemistry
B.4. Computer Science
B.5. Earth and Planetary Sciences
B.6. Economics
B.7. Education
B.8. Engineering
B.9. Environmental Science
B.10. Healthcare and Life Sciences
B.11. Psychology
B.12. Medicine and Nursing
B.13. Pharmacology
B.14. Physics
B.15. Social Sciences
Index