A Practical Guide to a Powerful Literature Review
Literature reviews are indispensable to researchers and communicators in healthcare. Conducted at the beginning of the evidence-generation process or as standalone activities, they help address outstanding questions, highlight gaps in the evidence base, and identify opportunities for further research. A range of review types are possible which vary in their comprehensiveness and utility. Regardless of the purpose, they are key elements that ensure the quality of a literature review. This paper explores five key areas for effective literature review conduct.