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What's the difference? Literature Review vs. Systematic Review

Literature reviews and systematic reviews both summarize evidence, however, each takes a different approach to gathering and reviewing the evidence. Systematic reviews have a higher level of credibility.

Literature Review

Systematic Review

Summarizes literature on a topic

Doesn't include all evidence on a topic

Database searching may not be comprehensive

Can be biased as no inclusion criteria are indentified

Written by one or more people

Answers a focused clinical question

Includes all evidence on the clinical question

Comprehensive searching of all relevant databases

Identifies a list of inclusion and exclusion criteria for the evidence

Each article included in the review is assessed by a team

Follows a scientific process to analyze data gathered to answer the clinical question

Can include a statistical analysis of the data (also known as a meta-analysis)

Article: Literature Review vs. Systematic Review

Kowalczyk, N., & Truluck, C. (2013). Literature Reviews and Systematic Reviews: What Is the Difference?. Radiologic Technology, 85(2), 219-222.

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Video: Nursing: Defining Literature Reviews

This video from the NKU Steely Library discusses the concept of a literature review and the types of sources used to support a literature review project. (2:52 minutes) Creative Commons Attribution License (reuse allowed) https://youtu.be/cPo9bD7zWcA

Video: Allied Health Literature Reviews

This video from the NKU Steely Library describes the purpose of conducting a literature review (2:43 minutes) Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License https://youtu.be/wl1jidfBG-c

Video: Conducting a Literature Review

This video from USU Libraries walks you through how to conduct a literature review. (2:19 minutes) Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. https://youtu.be/EuV9WawChwc

Video: Synthesis for Literature Review

This video from USU Libraries gives you tips on conducting literature reviews using synthesis methods.(2:06 minutes) Creative Commons Attribution License (reuse allowed) https://youtu.be/eVt2mMG_gwE

Video: Literature Review vs. Systematic Review

Victoria Goode, Clinical Informationist, from the Welch Library at Johns Hopkins University, briefly explains the differences between a literature review and a systematic review. (time: 1 minute 44 seconds)

Standard YouTube License: https://youtu.be/14Pt-F59UDA