1. Choose your review type
In Business you're likely to be completing a Literature Review in a systematic way rather than a protocol driven Systematic Review.
There are different types of systematic-like reviews. Each type uses different methodologies. You should choose a review type that is appropriate to answering your review question, your timeline, and your resources.
Click on the plus icons below to explore common review types in business.
Systematic Reviews
Review purpose
Systematic Reviews find, critique, and synthesise the results of all available studies to establish overall findings for a question. This type of review is sometimes done in preparation for meta-analysis (where suitable).
Systematic Reviews follow a detailed process. Methods are pre-defined, and research and reporting follows specific guidelines and frameworks.
Recommended time frame
6 months – 2 years
Reviewers required
At least 2 or more
Example reviews
- Buyer–supplier relationship dynamics: a systematic review
- New Perspectives and Critical Insights from Indigenous Peoples’ Research: A Systematic Review of Indigenous Management and Organization Literature
- Towards a Methodology for Developing Evidence-Informed Management Knowledge by Means of Systematic Review
Systematized Reviews
Review purpose
Systematized Reviews include elements of Systematic Reviews. They may or may not include comprehensive searches or formal critical appraisal, and can be conducted by an individual.
For more information read: A typology of reviews: an analysis of 14 review types and associated methodologies.
Recommended time frame
6 months – 2 years
Reviewers required
1 or more
Example review
Scoping Reviews
Review purpose
Scoping Reviews are broader than Systematic Reviews but still have defined questions. The search is conducted systematically.
Scoping Reviews seek to explore themes, or determine the extent of available evidence, as well as any gaps in the available research, and map the results. They may include qualitative, quantitative or mixed methods studies, or non-empirical evidence.
For more information read: What are scoping reviews? Providing a formal definition of scoping reviews as a type of evidence synthesis.
Recommended time frame
2-6 months
Reviewers required
1 or more
Example reviews
Rapid Reviews
Review purpose
Rapid Reviews use systematic review methods to rapidly synthesise known evidence about a policy or practice issue.
They are an alternative to a Systematic Review, with a simplified and accelerated approach. Some aspects of a Systematic Review are omitted to provide a quick overview of a research area in a shorter timeframe. This may include reducing the number of databases, assigning a single reviewer, excluding or limiting the use of grey literature, and narrowing the scope of the review.
For more information read: A typology of reviews: an analysis of 14 review types and associated methodologies.
Recommended time frame
2 – 6 months
Reviewers required
2 or more
Example reviews
Umbrella Reviews
Review purpose
An Umbrella Review is a review of reviews. It gathers all the evidence from existing reviews on a topic to give a high-level overview. An Umbrella Review is reliant on the existence of pre-existing reviews. It cannot be completed if there are limitations in quality and comprehensiveness of available information in the reviews.
For more information read: A typology of reviews: an analysis of 14 review types and associated methodologies.
Recommended time frame
3-6 months
Reviewers required
At least 2 or more
Example reviews
Literature Reviews
Review purpose
Literature Reviews are designed to provide a broad overview or increase self-knowledge of an area of specialisation. They may also provide background to a research thesis.
Literature reviews function well as a topic overview for readers by succinctly outlining the area of research development.
Recommended time frame
1+ week
Reviewers required
1 or more
Example reviews
Note
Be sure to check for any author guidelines that must be met for specific types of reviews. Not sure where you are publishing? See Your Publishing Plan for guidance.
Review Guidelines
We recommend following guidelines to help navigate the process of your review. Below are some of the key guidelines followed by Business researchers conducting systematic-like reviews. Remember that some journals may require a specific process to be followed.
Campbell Collaboration
Campbell Collaboration is a good starting place to explore different systematic reviews in various disciplines.
The Campbell Collaboration provides detailed requirements and guidelines for producing Campbell systematic reviews. These guidelines can be useful in preparing a detailed research plan.
JBI guidelines
JBI is a global organisation promoting and supporting evidence-based decisions.
It develops and delivers a range of solutions to access, appraise and apply the best available evidence. JBI’s FAME model of feasibility, appropriateness, meaningfulness and effectiveness. It can be contextualised and adaptable for Business.
PRISMA statement
Deakin Library highly recommends following the PRISMA Statement when reporting your review. The checklist outlines expected features in the reporting of a systematic review and the flow diagram is a commonly-used figure for illustrating the process of selecting eligible studies for the review.
If you are doing other types of reviews, keep in mind that there are variations on the PRISMA statement you can use, such as PRISMA-ScR to report on Scoping Reviews.
The PRISMA Statement and its extensions are suitable for reporting Business reviews.