Systematic vs Narrative Literature Reviews: Which Does Your UK Dissertation Need?
The difference matters more than students think - and choosing the wrong one is a structural mistake you can't fix in editing.
A systematic review follows a predefined protocol - search terms, inclusion criteria, quality appraisal. A narrative review synthesises a body of literature thematically. They are not interchangeable.
When to choose systematic
Health sciences, evidence-based practice, replicable methodology required, your supervisor uses the word 'PRISMA' more than once.
When to choose narrative
Humanities, social sciences, broad theoretical scoping, your aim is to map a debate rather than answer a focused clinical question.
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