Table 1

Approaches to literature reviews

ApproachSystematicSemi-systematicIntegrative
Typical purposeSynthesize and compare evidenceOverview research area and track development over timeCritique and synthesize
Research questionsSpecificBroadNarrow or broad
Search strategySystematicMay or may not be systematicUsually not systematic
Sample characteristicsQuantitative articlesResearch articlesResearch articles, books, and other published texts
Analysis and evaluationQuantitativeQualitative/quantitativeQualitative
Examples of contributionEvidence of effectState of knowledgeTaxonomy or classification
 Inform policy and practiceThemes in literatureTheoretical model or framework
  Historical overview 
  Research agenda 
  Theoretical model 

Note(s): Adopted from Snyder's (2019, p. 334)

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