How to Write an Integrative Literature Review?

28/01/2025

An integrative literature review (ILR) is a comprehensive way to synthesize and integrate the findings from diverse sources, offering new perspectives or frameworks that address a specific research question. As part of the scholarly process, writing an integrative literature review is essential for advancing knowledge and shaping new theories within a field. In this blog post, we'll explore the steps involved in writing an integrative literature review, the essential components, and how it differs from other types of reviews.

What is an Integrative Literature Review?

An integrative literature review (ILR) is a type of research article that synthesizes and critiques existing literature on a topic, aiming to create new knowledge or insights. Unlike systematic reviews, which focus on synthesizing evidence based on specific methodologies, an ILR integrates findings across various methodologies to offer a broader understanding of a concept. This makes it particularly valuable for developing new frameworks or theories that can inform future research.

Why Write an Integrative Literature Review?

ILRs offer several benefits, including the following:

  • Holistic View: They provide a comprehensive understanding by reviewing a broad range of studies and theoretical works.
  • Theory Building: They help build new frameworks or perspectives based on existing knowledge.
  • Interdisciplinary Connections: They allow researchers to link concepts from multiple disciplines, broadening the scope of a topic.

Steps to Writing an Integrative Literature Review

Writing an ILR requires a structured approach to ensure clarity and coherence. Here are the steps you need to follow:

1. Define the Topic and Purpose

Before starting your literature review, clearly define your research topic and objectives. Ask yourself: What is the purpose of this review? Is it to update the current understanding of a topic, resolve contradictions in the literature, or identify gaps in research? The purpose should guide how you structure the review.

2. Conduct a Comprehensive Literature Search

An integrative literature review involves gathering studies and theoretical works from multiple sources, including journal articles, books, conference papers, and grey literature. Key steps in this phase include:

  • Search Strategy: Identify relevant databases (e.g., PubMed, Scopus) and use a systematic search strategy to find articles that match your research questions. Ensure to use appropriate keywords and Boolean operators to maximize results.
  • Inclusion/Exclusion Criteria: Set clear criteria for selecting studies. This includes deciding which types of studies (empirical, theoretical, or both) you will include and the time frame of the research articles.

3. Evaluate and Analyze the Literature

Once you have gathered the relevant studies, the next step is to evaluate the quality of the literature. Here, you will:

  • Critically Analyze the Studies: Assess the strengths and weaknesses of each study. What methodologies were used? Were there any biases in the findings?
  • Synthesize Information: Organize the findings based on themes, trends, or methodologies. This is where you begin to identify patterns or contradictions across the literature, which will inform your overall argument or thesis.

4. Organize the Review

An integrative literature review can be structured in various ways, depending on the topic and purpose. The most common structures are:

  • Thematic: Organize the literature according to key themes or topics that emerge from the studies.
  • Chronological: Present the literature in a timeline to highlight how research on the topic has evolved.
  • Methodological: Group studies based on the research methods used.

5. Synthesize the Findings and Present New Perspectives

The goal of an ILR is not just to summarize existing research but to synthesize it in a way that creates new understanding. After analyzing and organizing the studies, you should:

  • Develop New Frameworks: Integrate different perspectives and studies to form new ideas or theories.
  • Highlight Gaps: Point out areas that have been under-researched or where the literature is contradictory.
  • Propose Future Research: Based on the gaps identified, suggest avenues for future investigation.

6. Write the Review

The final step is to write the review itself. Make sure to:

  • Introduction: Clearly state the purpose of the review and outline the research question.
  • Body: Present the reviewed literature in a structured manner (e.g., by themes or chronological order).
  • Discussion: Synthesize the findings, discussing implications for theory and practice. Provide recommendations for future research.
  • Conclusion: Summarize the key findings of the review and the new insights or frameworks developed.

Key Components of an Integrative Literature Review

To write an effective ILR, ensure the following components are present:

  • Clear Objective: State the purpose of the review and the specific research question it addresses.
  • Comprehensive Literature Search: Gather studies from a variety of sources to provide a well-rounded understanding of the topic.
  • Critical Analysis: Evaluate the quality and relevance of the studies you include.
  • Synthesis: Integrate findings across studies to develop new frameworks or insights.
  • Recommendations for Future Research: Highlight areas that require further investigation.

Bibliography

Cho, Y. (2022). Comparing Integrative and Systematic Literature Reviews. Human Resource Development Review, 21(2), 147–151. https://doi.org/10.1177/15344843221089053

Kutcher, A. M. & LeBaron, V. T. (2022). A simple guide for completing an integrative review using an example article. Journal Of Professional Nursing, 40, 13–19. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.profnurs.2022.02.004

Oermann, M. H. & Knafl, K. A. (2021). Strategies for completing a successful integrative review. Nurse Author & Editor, 31(3–4), 65–68. https://doi.org/10.1111/nae2.30

Torraco, R. J. (2016). Writing Integrative Reviews of the Literature. International Journal Of Adult Vocational Education And Technology, 7(3), 62–70. https://doi.org/10.4018/ijavet.2016070106

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

  1. What is an integrative literature review? An integrative literature review synthesizes and critiques existing research to generate new insights, frameworks, or theories, providing a comprehensive understanding of a topic.

  2. How is an integrative literature review different from a systematic review? Unlike a systematic review, which follows a structured, often quantitative process, an integrative literature review allows for a broader, interdisciplinary approach, integrating both empirical and theoretical literature.

  3. What are the steps in writing an integrative literature review? The steps include defining the topic and purpose, conducting a comprehensive literature search, evaluating and analyzing the literature, organizing the review, synthesizing findings, and presenting new perspectives.

  4. Can I use both empirical and theoretical studies in an integrative review? Yes, integrative literature reviews include both empirical studies and theoretical works, making them suitable for topics requiring a broad understanding from various perspectives.

  5. How do I structure an integrative literature review? Common structures include thematic, chronological, or methodological organization. Choose a structure that best fits your research question and the literature reviewed.