1. Choose your review type
There are different types of advanced literature reviews. Each type uses different methodologies. You should choose a review type that is appropriate to answering your research question, your timeline, and your resources.
Click the + plus icons below to explore different types of advanced literature reviews.
Note
Be sure to check for any journal publisher requirements that must be met for specific types of reviews. Not sure where you are publishing? See Your Publishing Plan for guidance.
Review Guidelines and Methodologies
You may choose to follow a particular methodology or guideline to help navigate the process of your review. Below are some of the key methodologies and guidelines followed by STEMM researchers conducting Systematic-Style reviews. Remember that some journals may require a specific method or process to be followed.
PRISMA Statement
The PRISMA Statement is used for reporting of reviews in health but is adaptable for other areas. It is not a conducting guideline, but sets out what should be reported in reviews. It includes a checklist and flow diagram. PRISMA now also has an Ecology Extension available for reviews in this discipline and there is also a PRISMA Statement for Scoping Reviews.
ROSES
ROSES was Created specifically for environmental science/ecology discipline to address shortcomings of PRISMA for this field. Includes guidelines for reporting and templates for flow diagrams, as well as an online tool to create a flow diagram.
CEE (Collaboration for Environmental Evidence)
The CEE (Collaboration for Environmental Evidence) community seeks to promote, deliver and publish environmental evidence syntheses. Offers guidelines for systematic reviews in environmental management field. Mandates the use of ROSES for CEE approved evidence synthesis.
Griffith method
The Griffith method – a simple 15 step process for conducting a Systematic Quantitative Literature Review. No protocols or reporting standards are required as part of the basic method. Publication by Pickering & Byrne outlines this method.
CAMARADES
CAMARADES, (Collaborative Approach to Meta Analysis and Review of Animal Data from Eperimental Studies) is a research group provides access to tools and resources to help plan and conduct a Systematic Review of Animal Studies, including introductory videos on the topic.