Integrated means that the literature review is not standalone but is embedded in another assignment, the most obvious being a thesis or a research project. It is similar to the standalone in most ways but the main difference is, rather than stating possible avenues for future research, you link the review to your original project and showcase how your work improves the knowledge base and where it fills the gaps.
A systematic review is a literature review undertaken in a systematic, scientific way. This usually involves creating a research methodology of how searching is to be done in a systematic and repeatable way. The main idea behind it is to find as many relevant research articles as possible within the chosen selection criteria. The articles are then critically analysed and the results as a whole are analysed showcasing the effect of a variable overall, this is for quantitative reviews. In qualitative reviews, themes and results around a topic are showcased. This thorough analysis is then used to state in what ways the field can be improved and what are the next steps. Systematic reviews usually take a long time to conduct and are generally a project in themselves so unlikely to be part of a bigger project. Systematic reviews can be used both for qualitative and quantitative subjects For a more in depth guide see the links below.
Integrative literature reviews are much like systematic reviews, the main difference being that while systematic reviews make conclusions about the literature itself, integrative reviews take conclusions from the reviewed literature in order to create new knowledge such as a new training program.
To learn more see the links below.
Similarities and differences of systematic and literature reviews:
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Systematic Review |
Literature Review |
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Question |
Focused on a single question. |
Not necessarily focused on a single question, but may describe an overview. |
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Protocol |
A peer review protocol or plan is included. |
No protocol is included. |
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Background |
Both provide summaries of the available literature on a topic. |
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Objectives |
Clear objectives are identified. |
Objectives may or may not be identified. |
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Inclusion and exclusion criteria |
Criteria stated before the review is conducted. |
Criteria not specified. |
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Search strategy |
Comprehensive search conducted in a systematic way. |
Strategy not explicitly stated |
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Process of selecting articles |
Usually clear and explicit. |
Not described in a literature review. |
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Process of evaluating articles |
Comprehensive evaluation of study quality. |
Evaluation of study quality may or may not be included. |
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Process of extracting relevant information |
Usually clear and specific. |
The process of extracting relevant information is not explicit and clear. |
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Results and data synthesis |
Clear summaries of studies based on high quality evidence. |
Summary based on studies where the quality of articles may not be specified. May also be influenced by the reviewer’s theories, needs and beliefs. |
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Discussion |
Written by an expert or group of experts with a detailed and well grounded knowledge of the issues. |
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