Five other types of systematic reviews
1. Scoping review
A scoping review is a preliminary assessment of the potential size and scope of available research literature. Aims to identify the nature and extent of research evidence (usually including ongoing research).
Scoping reviews provide an understanding of the size and scope of the available literature and can inform whether a full systematic review should be undertaken.
If you're not sure you should conduct a systematic review or a scoping review, this article outlines the differences between these review types and could help your decision making.
2. Rapid review
Rapid reviews are an assessment of what is already known about a policy or practice issue by using systematic review methods to search and critically appraise existing research.
This methodology utilises several legitimate techniques to shorten the process – careful focus of the research question, using broad or less sophisticated search strategies, conducting a review of reviews, restricting the amount of grey literature, extracting only key variables and performing more simple quality appraisals.
Rapid reviews have an increased risk of potential bias due to their short timeframe. Documenting the methodology and highlighting its limitations is one way to mitigate bias.
3. Narrative review
Also called a literature review.
A narrative, or literature, review synthesises primary studies and explores this through description rather than statistics. Library support for literature review can be found in this guide.
4. Meta-analysis
A meta-analysis statistically combines the results of quantitative studies to provide a more precise effect on the results. This type of study examines data from multiple studies, on the same subject, to determine trends.
Outcomes from a meta-analysis may include a more precise estimate of the effect of treatment or risk factor for disease, or other outcomes, than any individual study contributing to the combined studies being analysed.
5. Mixed methods/mixed studies
Refers to any combination of methods where one significant component is a literature review (usually systematic review). For example, a mixed methods study might include a systematic review accompanied by interviews or by a stakeholder consultation.
Within a review context, mixed methods studies refers to a combination of review approaches. For example, combining quantitative with qualitative research or outcome with process studies.
