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.