====== Narrative review ======

A narrative review is a type of scholarly article that provides a qualitative, descriptive summary of previously published literature on a specific topic. Unlike systematic reviews, narrative reviews do not follow a standardized protocol for literature search, selection, or data analysis. Instead, they are typically broad in scope and aim to offer a comprehensive overview of a field, often including expert opinions, historical context, and theoretical perspectives.

Key Characteristics:
Flexible methodology: No strict inclusion/exclusion criteria.

Author-driven structure: Organized around themes rather than following a rigid protocol.

Descriptive synthesis: Summarizes findings without quantitative analysis.

Purpose: To inform, educate, or provide a critical viewpoint on a topic.

Common Uses:
Introducing emerging topics or concepts.

Providing background for research proposals.

Highlighting trends, gaps, or controversies in a field.