Literature Reviews in the Health Science

"A literature review is an objective, thorough summary and critical analysis of the relevant available research and non-research literature on the topic being studied (Hart, 1998). (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18399395)
A literature review provides an overview of what's been written about a specific topic. There are many different types of literature reviews. They vary in terms of comprehensiveness, types of study included, and purpose.
The "primary purpose is to provide the reader with a comprehensive background for understanding current knowledge and highlighting the significance of new research. It can inspire research ideas by identifying gaps or inconsistencies in a body of knowledge, thus helping the researcher to determine or define research questions or hypotheses." (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18399395)
 

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Additional Resources:

• Scoping reviews: what they are and how you can do them - video (Cochrane)
• PRISMA for Scoping Reviews - Downloadable checklist
• More information on the Systematic Review process view the VCU Libraries guide. 
• A Guide to Conducting Reviews: Types of Reviews - American University of Beirut

Further Reading:

1. Grant MJ, Booth A. A typology of reviews: an analysis of 14 review types and associated methodologies. Health Info Libr J. 2009 Jun;26(2):91-108. doi: 10.1111/j.1471-1842.2009.00848.x. Review. PubMed PMID: 19490148.
2. Whittemore, R., & Knafl, K. (2005). The integrative review: updated methodology. Journal of advanced nursing, 52(5), 546–553. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2648.2005.03621.x
3. Armstrong, R., Hall, B. J., Doyle, J., & Waters, E. (2011). ‘Scoping the scope’of a cochrane review. Journal of public health, 33(1), 147-150.
4. Lockwood, C., dos Santos, K. B., & Pap, R. (2019). Practical guidance for knowledge synthesis: Scoping Review Methods. Asian nursing research, 13(5), 287-294.
5. Peters, M. D., Godfrey, C. M., Khalil, H., McInerney, P., Parker, D., & Soares, C. B. (2015). Guidance for conducting systematic scoping reviews. International journal of evidence-based healthcare, 13(3), 141-146.