What is the difference between integrative review and systematic review

Systematic review, in turn, is an exacting synthesis of all investigations related to one specific question, focusing primarily on experimental studies, such as randomized clinical trials. It is different from other methods of review since it aims at overcoming possible biases in each stage, following a strict method to search and select investigations; assessing relevance and validity of the studies found; collection, synthesis and interpretation of data from research 2 2.

Lastly, integrative review is the most comprehensive methodological approach of reviews, and it allows including experimental and non-experimental studies to fully understand the phenomenon analyzed. It also combines data from theoretical and empirical literature, and has a wide range of purposes, such as definition of concepts, review of theories and evidence, and analysis of methodological problems of a particular topic. The broad sample, together with multiple proposals, should create a consistent and comprehensive panorama of complex concepts, health theories or problems that are relevant for nursing 3 3.

It is a study with data collected from secondary sources through a bibliographic search and based on the experience of the authors when performing an integrative review. Bibliographical survey is one of the best ways to initiate a study, searching for similarities and differences among the articles found in the references. The electronic compilation of information is a major advance for researchers for it democratizes access and provide frequent update 4 4.

The general objective of a literature review is to gather knowledge about a topic, thus assisting to set the foundations for a significant study on nursing. This task is crucial for researchers 5 5. Porto Alegre RS : Artmed, The inclusion criteria defined to select articles were: articles published in Portuguese, English and Spanish; full articles addressing integrative review and articles published and indexed in the above-mentioned databases in the last ten years.

The analysis of the studies selected in terms of research design was based on Polit, Beck, Hungler 5 5. Rio de Janeiro: Guanabara Koogan; Both analysis and synthesis of data extracted from the articles were carried out in a descriptive fashion, allowing to observe, count, describe and classify data in order to gather knowledge produced on the topic addressed in this review. The final sample of this review comprised five scientific articles, selected according to the inclusion criteria previously established.

The chart 1 represents the specifications of each article. Hence, scarcity of published scientific articles on integrative review was observed, since it is a methodology derived from Evidence-based Practice, which is increasingly developing in nursing, as well as in all other areas in the field of health. Within this context, the concept and the phases of an integrative review are addressed as an EBP tool. Integrative review determines current knowledge about a specific topic because it is carried out to identify, analyze and synthesize results of independent studies on the same subject, thus contributing to a possible beneficial repercussion on quality of care delivered to patients 1 1.

It is noteworthy mentioning that the use of integrative review impacts not only in development of policies, protocols and procedures, but also in critical assessment that the daily practice demands 7 7. Utilization-focused integrative reviews in a nursing service.

Appl Nurs Res. Next, the six phases of the process of preparing an integrative review are briefly presented 8 8.

Ganong LH. Integrative reviews of nursing research. Res Nurs Health. Defining the guiding question is the most important phase of the review, because it determines which studies will be included, the means adopted for identification and information gathered in each selected study. Hence, it includes the definition of participants, the interventions to be evaluated and the results to be measured 2 2.

It should be clearly and specifically prepared, and related to a theoretical principle that comprises theories and rationale learned by the researcher 1 1. Ursi ES. Intrinsically related to the previous phase, the search in databases should be broad and diverse, including search in electronic databases, manual search in journals, the references described in the selected studies, contact with researchers and the use of unpublished material 2 2.

The sampling criteria must assure representativeness of the sample, and they are important indicators of reliability and veracity of the results. The ideal procedure is to include all the studies found or a randomized selection of them; however, if both choices are not feasible due to the amount of works, the inclusion and exclusion criteria adopted for the articles must be clearly explained and discussed 8 8.

Thus, determining the criteria should be performed in agreement with the guiding question, considering the participants, the intervention and the results of interest. To extract data from the articles selected, it is necessary to use a previously prepared instrument that is able to assure collection of all relevant data, to minimize the risk of errors in transcription, to guarantee precision when checking information and to serve as a record.

The data should include definition of the subjects, methodology, size of the sample, measuring variables, method of analysis and concepts used as bases is the Appendix 1 is a model of an instrument to be used in data collection 8 8.

Similar to data analysis in conventional research, this phase demands an organized approach to weigh rigor and characteristics of each study. How to undertake a literature search: a step-by-step guide Watson, , BJN, 29 7 : is a good overall guide. No additional experimental work is done usually. A systematic review is necessary to be sure that the data from the selected studies is comparable and combinable.

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Literature Reviews Literature reviews are summaries of the literature on a particular topic. Types of literature reviews: Literature Reviews summaries of relevant literature generally descriptive not necessarily any analysis of the literature methodology of the literature search is not always given good for gaining background knowledge of a subject without having to do all the searches and reading yourself.

Reading: Ten simple rules for writing a literature review Pautasso, M. PLoS Comput Biol , 9 7 , e Systematic Reviews specifically includes experimental research studies search and selection methodology is very precise and should be explicitly described well enough for another researcher to duplicate the searches and the study selection. See Table 1 of this article Hoojimans et al. Protocol Registries. You can register all types of review protocols including scoping reviews at OSF.

You can register all types of review protocols at figshare including scoping reviews. Standards and Reporting Guidelines It is a good idea to familiarize yourself with the standards and reporting guidelines for the type of review you are planning to do.

Systematic Reviews. At the link you will find the statement as well as explanations of each element, a checklist of elements, a PRISMA flow diagram template, and more. If you want to contribute a systematic review to the Cochrane Library, you will have to do some extra steps. Cochrane requires that you contact them and join a review group before starting the review, among other requirements.

This Information for Authors page will prepare you to meet Cochrane's systematic review requirements. You don't need to be planning to publish with Cochrane to use their handbook. Their handbook has become the de facto manual for systematic reviews of effectiveness. If you are seeking to publish your review with the Joanna Briggs Institute, you will need to follow their guidelines and standards.

However, anyone can use these regardless of where they are planning to publish. The guidelines are broken up into 7 different types of systematic reviews including systematic reviews of qualitative evidence and mixed methods systematic reviews.

The free download link is all the way over on the right. Scoping Reviews. This is the explanation for updates made to the manual linked below.

You can skip this article and go directly to the JBI manual if you prefer. The JBI manual chapter specifically about scoping reviews. These guidelines are great for any scoping review, but must be followed if you're planning to publish with JBI. Integrative Reviews. Whittemore, R. The integrative review: updated methodology. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 52 5 , — This article is the current standard for designing an integrative review.

Tavares de Souza, M. Integrative review: What is it? How to do it? Einstein, 8 1. Report a problem. Subjects: Research. Tags: databases , faculty , research skills. Research Question. Very specific, frequently following a framework e. Generally broad. More important to have a stated problem.