Literature Review
Systematic literature review is a cornerstone of the Merge stage, providing rigorous synthesis of existing knowledge.
Types of Reviews
| Type | Purpose | Rigor Level |
|---|---|---|
| Scoping Review | Map existing literature | Medium |
| Systematic Review | Comprehensive synthesis | High |
| Meta-Analysis | Statistical synthesis | Very High |
| Narrative Review | Thematic synthesis | Lower |
Process
1. Define Scope
- Research questions
- Inclusion/exclusion criteria
- Time boundaries
2. Search
- Database selection
- Search string development
- Documentation of process
3. Screen
- Title/abstract review
- Full-text review
- Apply criteria consistently
4. Extract
- Key findings
- Methodological details
- Quality assessment
5. Synthesize
- Thematic analysis
- Pattern identification
- Gap documentation
Quality Criteria
- Reproducibility: Can someone else repeat your search?
- Comprehensiveness: Have you covered major sources?
- Transparency: Is your process documented?
- Rigor: Are you applying consistent criteria?