Systematic review introduction example

A systematic literature review is a method to review relevant literature in your field through a highly rigorous and 'systematic' process. The process of undertaking a systematic literature review covers not only the content found in the literature but the methods used to find the literature, what search strategies you used and how and where you searched. A systematic literature review also importantly focuses on the criteria you have used to evaluate the literature found for inclusion or exclusion in the review. Like anyliterature review, a systematic literature reviewis undertaken to give you a broad understanding of your topic area, to show you what work has already been done in the subject area and what research methods and theories are being used. The literature review will help you find your research gap and direct your research.

Definition

A literature review "...creates a firm foundation for advancing knowledge. A successful literature review facilitates theory development, closes areas where a plethora of research exists, and uncovers areas where research is needed" (Webster & Watson, 2002 p8). Fink (2014 p3) describes a systematic literature review as a "systematic, explicit and reproducible method for identifying, evaluating and synthesizing the existing body of completed and recorded work produced by researchers, scholars and practitioners".

Purpose

The purpose of your literature review will be to build a knowledge base for your research. The knowledge base will help direct your research, assist in your gap analysis, and give you a strong platform to direct original research to address any gaps and support your hypothesis.

Features

A systematic literature review differs from other styles of literature review as it applies a much higher level of methodology to the process. The EPPI-Centre is a research center at the University College London. They state the key features of a systematic literature review are:

• itsuse of explicit and transparent methods
• its adherence tofollowing a standard set of researchstages
• its requirement that the review isaccountable, replicable and up-dateable
• its requirement of user involvement to ensure reports are relevant and useful.

Aim

Systematic literaturereviews aim to find as much relevant researchon the particular research question as possibleand to use explicit methods to identify what can reliably be said on the basis of these studies. Methods should not only be explicit but systematic with the aim of producing varied and reliable results. In this way, systematic reviews reduce the bias which can occur in other approaches to reviewing research evidence (EPPI 2015).

Reasons

There are three principalreasons to undertake a systematic approach to literature reviews:clarity, validity and auditability (Booth, Papaionannou & Sutton 2012).

A focused research question and explicit search strategies help to clarify considerations of scope and terminology (Booth,Papaionannou& Sutton 2012, p. 23).

In this case, clarity means the creatingof a clear structure forthe review and establishing clear methods and documentation ofthe searching process. This willallowfor easy navigation and interpretation of itscontents and make it easier to judge what you have done and clearly demonstratewhy certain research materials have been included while others have been excluded. It is recommended that you are very clear in what you are trying to achieve with your literature review, keep the review focused, and show each step of your methodology to ensure that the readers can follow your arguments and see where you are going and why.

For a literature review to be a valid research output, it should seek to be unbiased regarding theliterature that is reviewed.When crafting a literature review youneed to be very mindful to employa range of voicesto show clear reasoning behind the inclusionof particular papers and theories. Pitfalls to be aware of and/oravoid in your review process include:

• selection bias - only includingmaterials that support your hypothesis or personal ideology
• publication bias -an over-reliance on a particular database or set of journals for your materials.

To avoid publication bias, be sure to search a wide range of resources for the materials you include in your literature review.

Auditability,a key feature of a systematic literature review,pertains to the keeping of accurate recordsof your systematicsearch strategies.Accuraterecord keeping of your search strategies will allow othersto verify your results, the records will give the readers an understanding of how youcame to find and choose the materials in your review and give your review anextra layer ofauthority. Auditabilityis a crucial part of the review process, the reviewmust be consistentand systematic throughout.