A narrative review provides a synthesis or description of the literature review without using quantitative methods. Often the purpose of the review involves the evaluation of some set of investigations and involves theoretical statements and casts a wide range of topics and investigations.
The strengths of a narrative review are:
Unlike quantitative reviews, which have very narrowly defined parameters and precise inclusion and exclusion rules, a narrative review has more flexibility. The narrative review provides more potential for individual insight and opportunities for speculation than most quantitative review approaches.
Helpful Reads
The SAGE Encyclopedia of Communication Research Methods by ISBN: 9781483381435Publication Date: 2017Our entries, authored by key figures in the field, focus on special considerations when applied specifically to communication research, accompanied by engaging examples from the literature of communication, journalism, and media studies. Entries cover every step of the research process, from the creative development of research topics and questions to literature reviews, selection of best methods (whether quantitative, qualitative, or mixed) for analyzing research results and publishing research findings, whether in traditional media or via new media outlets.
- Great resource which describes the narrative review in much more detail.
Doing a Literature Review: Releasing the Research Imagination by Call Number: H62.H68 2018ISBN: 9781526419217Publication Date: 2018The ultimate guide to the 'what', 'how' and 'why' of literature reviewing. A thorough exploration of the literature review process from start to finish. Chris Hart′s landmark text provides both the intellectual understanding and the technical skills required to produce sophisticated, robust literature reviews of the very highest standard.
- See page 6 for an example of a review which displays familiarity with the literature.
- Traditional or Narrative Literature ReviewsA LibGuide from Charles Sturt University, which describes four common types of narrative reviews.
- How to Do a Systematic Review: A Best Practice Guide for Conducting and Reporting Narrative Reviews, Meta-Analyses, and Meta-SynthesesA useful journal article that describes how to plan, conduct, organize, and present a systematic review of quantitative (meta-analysis) or qualitative (narrative review, meta-synthesis) information.
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