A lot of times, we compare literature reviews vs systematic reviews. It is like comparing an orange with a tangerine – the same group but different fruits! A literature review and a systematic review are both research methods used to analyze the existing literature on a topic. But what exactly is the difference between these two? A literature review focuses on specific works on a given subject and analyzes them in-depth. A systematic review, on the other hand, examines the scope of available data. It looks at it from a neutral perspective.
However, there is also some overlap between the two. In some cases, you may need to use elements of one method as part of another one. Here’s more about this pair of research methods. Keep reading to find out more.
In This Article – Literature reviews vs systematic reviews
- What is a Literature Review?
- What is a Systematic Review?
- How Are They Different?
- How are they the same?
- When You’d Use a Literature Review
- When You’d Use a Systematic Review
In Previous Articles
- White Paper in Marketing: What, Why & How
- Reviewing a Document & Giving Feedback – A Quick Guide
- 5 Ways to Turn Your Job Interview “Weaknesses” Into Strengths
- How to Write a Reference List
- How To Become a Medical Writer: A Guide for Beginners
What is a Literature Review?
A literature review is a research method used to analyze the existing literature on a given topic. It’s certainly not the only method you can use to conduct research, but it’s a very common one. It’s particularly useful when you’re doing a research project that builds on or critiques existing research. A literature review can help you understand the current state of knowledge on a given subject. It can also direct your research toward areas that need more exploration.
There are different types of literature reviews. A descriptive literature review simply describes what has been written on a given topic. A conceptual literature review aims to make sense of the existing literature on a topic. A critical literature review examines the strengths and weaknesses of existing research.
What is a Systematic Review?
A systematic review is a research method that aims to summarise existing literature on a given topic and make it more accessible to readers. It is often used in place of a literature review. It can be particularly useful when the research being reviewed is limited in some way. For example, if it’s outdated or if it only covers a specific aspect of the topic in question. Systematic reviews are generally more thorough than literature reviews.
They look at the scope of available data and draw conclusions based on that, rather than just analyzing a specific set of studies. In many cases, you can’t use one method in place of another. However, there are some situations in which you can use elements of one method in another. For example, you may need to use a literature review to gather information for a systematic review.
Literature Reviews vs Systematic Reviews – How Are They Different?
A literature review is a more in-depth analysis of the existing literature than a systematic review is. A systematic review looks at the overall scope of existing data and makes conclusions based on that. On the other hand, a literature review focuses on specific works and analyzes them in-depth. A systematic review can be used to understand the current state of knowledge on a topic, while a literature review focuses on specific works. However, a systematic review can certainly be in-depth. The amount of research that goes into it will impact the level of detail it discusses.
The main difference is that a literature review is a critical analysis of specific works, while a systematic review is a general analysis of the available data. A literature review is often qualitative and focused on a specific topic. A systematic review can be quantitative and cover a broader topic.
Literature Reviews vs Systematic Reviews – How Are They The Same?
A literature review and a systematic review are both research methods that are used to analyze the existing literature on a topic. They’re both very similar in that they examine the existing data and attempt to make sense of it. These methods are often used together in order to create more in-depth research. For example, you might conduct a literature review to examine the current research on a topic and then use that to inform the design of a systematic review.
When You’d Use a Literature Review
Literature reviews are often used as a preliminary step before more in-depth research. For example, if you’re writing a paper that critiques an existing theory or paper, you may want to first examine the literature on that topic. You can then use what you find in your literature review to frame your critique and support your arguments with evidence. Literature reviews can be useful in a wide variety of subjects, though some are more common than others.
For instance, if you’re studying a specific author, you may want to conduct a literature review of their works. If you’re studying a specific theory or concept, you might want to examine the literature related to it. If you’re studying a specific field, like psychology or sociology, you’re likely to come across a lot of literature related to that field.
When You’d Use a Systematic Review
Systematic reviews are often used as a way to gather data and create a more thorough overview of the current state of knowledge on a given topic. They can also be used as a way to create a foundation for further research on a topic. You may choose to conduct a systematic review if you need to access data that is currently inaccessible because it is outdated or if you need to access data that only covers a specific aspect of the topic you’re interested in.
For example, if you’re studying a specific topic in the field of public health, you may need to examine the current data on hygiene practices in the developing world. You may find that there are very few studies on this topic, but you can use a systematic review to examine existing data on hygiene practices in first-world countries and use that as a starting point for your research.
Literature reviews vs systematic reviews- Key takeaways
Literature reviews and systematic reviews are both methods used to analyze the existing literature on a given topic. A literature review examines specific works on a topic, while a systematic review examines the overall scope of existing data and makes conclusions based on that. These methods are often used together in order to create more in-depth research. For example, you might conduct a literature review to examine the current research on a topic and then use that to inform the design of a systematic review.
When comparing literature reviews vs systematic reviews, remember that these methods are very similar in that they examine the existing data and attempt to make sense of it. These methods are often used together in order to create more in-depth research. For example, you might conduct a literature review to examine the current research on a topic and then use that to inform the design of a systematic review.
