Introduction
The primary distinction between a literature review and a systematic review is that the former offers an overview of the current knowledge and theories on a specific topic, while the latter employs analytical methods to gather and analyze secondary data. Both types of reviews are used to summarize the available literature or research on a given topic. However, there are notable differences between the two.
Key Takeaways
- A literature review provides an overview of the current knowledge and theories on a specific topic, while a systematic review uses analytical methods to collect and analyze secondary data.
- Systematic reviews are typically used in the biomedical and healthcare sectors, while literature reviews are commonly seen in social sciences, experiments, and lab reports.
- Literature reviews help identify gaps between current and previous studies, while systematic reviews provide high-quality evidence to support evidence-based practice and decision-making in various disciplines.
What is Literature Review?
A literature review involves searching the available literature on a given topic, aiming to provide an overview of the subjects explored and draw connections to the current topic. It summarizes the key points of the existing literature on the topic, allowing for a better understanding of the research problem of the current study.
Literature reviews reveal the gaps in previous research studies and compare different studies on the topic. Various types of literature reviews exist within the realm of research methodologies, with specific structures to follow when writing them. These reviews offer an accessible guide to the particular topic for researchers. Literature reviews are predominantly found in social sciences, experiments, and lab reports.
What is Systematic Review?
Systematic reviews are employed to collect and analyze secondary data, aiming to answer a focused research question. These reviews can combine all relevant studies on a given topic, providing an unbiased and balanced summary of findings. They are designed to offer a summary of current evidence relating to a research question.
Systematic reviews are commonly used in the biomedical and healthcare sectors. They examine clinical tests, public health interventions, environmental interventions, social interventions, adverse effects, and qualitative evidence. Systematic reviews can support decision-making across various disciplines.
What is the Difference Between Literature Review and Systematic Review?
The primary difference between literature review and systematic review is that a literature review offers a summary or overview of a topic, while a systematic review answers a focused question, particularly in the healthcare sector. Another key difference is that a literature review summarizes the literature on the topic, while a systematic review provides high-quality evidence to support evidence-based practice.
Furthermore, a literature review poses a question with a general or specific topic, whereas a systematic review features a clearly defined question. Although literature reviews are used in social sciences disciplines, systematic reviews are mostly utilized in the biomedical and healthcare sectors. Additionally, a literature review helps identify gaps between current and previous studies, but systematic reviews do not offer assistance in identifying these gaps.
Summary – Literature Review vs Systematic Review
The key difference between a literature review and a systematic review is that a literature review provides an overview of the current knowledge and theories on a specific research topic, while a systematic review employs analytical methods to collect and analyze secondary data, particularly in healthcare sectors.
Reference:
1. “Literature Reviews.” The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 21 Sept. 2021.
2. “What Is a Literature Review?” The Royal Literary Fund.
3. Gopalakrishnan, S, and P Ganeshkumar. “Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis: Understanding the Best Evidence in Primary Healthcare.” Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care, Medknow Publications & Media Pvt Ltd, Jan. 2013.
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