Let's play a game in which I'll describe a research-related topic and you guess what it is. Deal? Let's go!

-It's shrouded in reverence and intrigue but painstakingly conceals the rigor required to produce it

-It's positioned at the upper echelon of the Hierarchy of Evidence 

-It's regarded as the gold standard of its kind

-It calls the Cochrane Library its home

Any ideas?

If you said the Systematic Review, you would be absolutely correct!  

But if you're anything like me up until recently, you'll be amazed to learn that the Systematic Review is just one among many different types of reviews. Oh, yes. There is more. Much more, in fact. It sickens me, actually--how much more there is to know. 

No matter if you're a seasoned health professional, new nurse, graduate student, or resident, you are likely reading this blog post because you're interested in learning more or moving your own review or "evidence synthesis" project forward.

But where do you begin? Allow the Banner Health Librarians to provide a great jumping off point.

Get Started Here

  • Article - This often-cited Typology of Reviews (2009) distinguishes between several types of reviews.  A solid primer. At least 14 different types of reviews are identified and described. Learn to differentiate between a Literature Review, a Scoping Review, an Umbrella Review and many more! 
  • Article - If you're all in on learning as much as humanly possible on the different types of  Systematic Reviews, take it one step further and read "What Kind of Systematic Review Should I Conduct?" Build confidence as  you learn to distinguish between Etiology and/or Risk Reviews, Prognostic Reviews, Costs or Economic Evaluation Reviews, and more. You're ascending into next-level territory, wise one!
  • Database - The Cochrane Library is the go-to resource for searching for gold standard reviews, clinical answer summaries on a variety of topics, and randomized controlled trials. When you hear the words "gold standard", Cochrane Library is sure to follow. 
  • Tool - Right Review - is "designed to provide guidance and supporting material to reviewers on methods for the conduct and reporting of knowledge synthesis". Choose Quantitative or Qualitative to get started and move through the prompts to evaluate your needs and help you decide. 

We hope these resources are useful in helping you decipher between the many different types of reviews (and maybe quell your fears that your first undertaking needs to be a Systematic Review!). In learning more about different review types, I think I may need to venture out and pursue one of my own - perhaps the Critical Review to start. 

Please contact the library with your questions or feedback. We love hearing from you!