Difference Between Literature Review and Systematic Review

by Posted on

Difference Between Literature Review and Systematic Review

Two research techniques are employed in academic and scientific settings: a literature review and a systematic review. Although both entail a study of the published literature, their objectives, range, methods, and degree of rigour are the same. The critical distinctions between a literature review and a systematic review are described as follows:

      1. Objective

    1. Literature review: An overview, synopsis, or synthesis of prior research and academic articles on a given subject is the goal of a literature review. It aims to identify key concepts, theories, approaches, and findings to establish context and pinpoint research gaps.
    2. Systematic Review: A systematic review examines all pertinent literature to fully address a specific research question. It carefully summarises the available evidence while adhering to preset protocols to minimise bias.

      1. Scope

    1. Literature review: A review frequently concentrates on a broad subject or field. Numerous sources can be cited, including books, journals, dissertations, and conference papers. The focus is typically comprehensive and less focused.
    2. Systematic Review: A systematic review concentrates on a particular subject or issue and includes a clearly stated research question. It adhered to tight inclusion and exclusion criteria to find and examine relevant studies while assuring a more focused and narrow scope.

      1. Modus operandi

    1. Literature review: A literature review needs to be more organised and systematic. This frequently comprises a narrative or thematic approach, in which the reviewer groups and analyses the literature according to recurring themes, fashions, or guiding principles.
    2. Systematic Review: A rigorous and open process is used in a systematic review. This comprised a thorough search strategy, established inclusion and exclusion standards, and a systematic evaluation of the calibre and applicability of each study. It frequently uses statistical techniques to combine and analyse data from various studies (meta-analysis).

      1. Hardness

    1. Literature review: A literature review could choose and interpret the literature subjectively, which makes it more biased. Despite significant efforts, investigations and synthesising results are more flexible and susceptible to interpretation.
    2. Systematic Review: A structured and open process is used in a systematic review to reduce bias. It adheres to a predetermined methodology to guarantee a thorough and objective evaluation of the available data. It aims for reproducibility so that other researchers can conduct the review procedure again.

systematic review

Conclusion

In conclusion, a literature review offers an overview and synthesis of the body of work that has already been written on a broad subject. A systematic review, on the other hand, adheres to a strict approach to respond to a particular research topic and offer a thorough and objective overview of the evidence that is currently available. Many scholars seek writing assistance to complete their reviews in the case of dissertation writing or thesis writing. Of course, this assistance helps you come over any confusion between the two discussed terms, because getting thesis consultation from professional experts help you understand the terms perfectly and sharpen your subject concepts. So yes, you can seek professional help also for any kind of academic writing task. Good luck with your research study!

Published by Henry