What is the difference between a literature review and a systematic review?
Answer
A literature, or narrative, review is an informal synthesis of information. It does not require reproducible methods and can be completed by a single author. Because of this, it is also more prone to bias. A literature review usually takes significantly less time to complete than a systematic review.
A systematic review is more focused and reproducible, as the goal is to bring in all available literature on a topic before screening it for relevant items, evaluating their quality, extracting the relevant data, and completing a qualitative and or quantitative analysis.
Table from: Bettany-Saltikov, J. (2010). Learning how to undertake a systematic review: part 1. Nursing Standard, 24(50), 47-56.
Learn more about review types on our Systematic Review Service guide.
Links & Files
- MSK Systematic Review Service Opens in new window
- What is a systematic review? Opens in new window
- What is a systematic review protocol? Do I need one? Opens in new window
- What is the difference between a systematic review and a scoping review? Opens in new window
- Does the Library offer any systematic review tools or software? Opens in new window
- How can I request to work with a librarian on my systematic review? Opens in new window
- Does the Library offer classes in conducting systematic reviews? Opens in new window
- How do I know if there’s already a systematic review on my topic? Opens in new window
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