What is a Narrative Review?
A narrative review (also known as a "traditional review") is a form of literature review where researchers summarize existing studies and texts on a specific topic to provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of knowledge. Unlike systematic reviews or meta-analyses, a narrative review does not follow a strictly prescribed search and selection protocol, but relies more on the expertise, research question, and often the critical judgment of the authors. The goal is to highlight the key findings and trends, identify potential research gaps, and suggest future research questions.
In this post, we will explore what a narrative review is, the typical steps for its creation, its advantages, and when you might prefer to use a more systematic approach. We will also show how a narrative review can be applied across different disciplines—from social sciences to natural sciences—and discuss the role of modern tools (e.g., AI tools like Unriddle) in this process.
1. Features of a Narrative Review
Narrative reviews are often broad and provide an interpretative summary of the research landscape. Instead of capturing all relevant publications through a strictly defined protocol, they focus on key theories, methods, and studies that shape the topic at hand. Typical features include:
Flexible Research
Authors browse databases, academic journals, and other sources without necessarily detailing search terms, inclusion/exclusion criteria.Thematic or Conceptual Organization
Instead of conducting a quantitative comparison of studies (as in a meta-analysis), the research landscape is summarized thematically (e.g., by focus areas, theories, or methods).Interpretative Synthesis
Narrative reviews place a strong emphasis on interpreting the findings: What trends emerge? What gaps exist? How have theories or practices developed in this area?Subjectivity and Expertise
Since the selection of literature is somewhat guided by the interests or judgment of the authors, there is a higher risk of bias. However, this can also help highlight innovative perspectives.
2. Difference from a Systematic Review
Systematic reviews follow a clearly defined, pre-established protocol. Every research decision must be reproducible (e.g., database searches, defined keywords, set inclusion/exclusion criteria). The goal: minimize potential biases ("bias") to achieve an objective picture.
Narrative reviews largely forgo this rigid framework. This leads to two typical advantages and disadvantages:
Advantages:
- Faster capture of a research field
- Greater flexibility in including different types of publications (e.g., theories, qualitative studies, grey literature)
- Particularly useful in emerging or interdisciplinary fields where there is not yet a sufficient pool of quantitative studies
Disadvantages:
- Higher subjectivity, as not all studies are systematically captured
- Harder to follow why certain sources were chosen or excluded
- Less suitable for evidence-based recommendations in clinical or highly regulated fields
3. Typical Use Cases
- Broad Overview: When you want to gain an initial overview before developing a focused research question.
- Theoretical Context: A narrative review can compare and critically assess theories.
- Historical Development: Many narrative reviews aim to show how a research field or theory has evolved over time.
- Methodological Questions: When the question is how research was conducted (and not just what was found), narrative reviews allow for easier comparison of different approaches.
4. Steps to Create a Narrative Review
Although a narrative review is not as strictly regulated as a systematic review, it is still recommended to follow clear steps:
Define the Research Question
What exactly should the review achieve? Should it provide a general overview or, for example, compare theories?Plan the Literature Search
- Select databases (e.g., PubMed, PsycINFO, Web of Science).
- Define search terms (keywords, synonyms).
- Note when and where the searches were conducted to ensure transparency.
Select Studies
Review abstracts and decide if an article is relevant for your review. If possible, briefly note your reasons for including or excluding studies.Organize the Literature
- Group studies by themes, methods, or theories.
- Tools like Unriddle, MAXQDA, or ATLAS.ti can help organize notes and link insights.
Synthesis & Discussion
- Summarize the main themes.
- Interpret the findings: What conclusions can be drawn, what research gaps remain?
- Provide a forecast of future research directions.
Conclusions & Outlook
What are the central findings, and where is further work needed? This can include both theoretical and practical implications, such as suggestions for empirical studies, new methods, or applications in practice.
5. The Role of Digital Tools (e.g., Unriddle)
Modern tools can save time in the research and organization process and enhance the quality of the review:
- Fast Source Identification: AI-powered document analysis allows you to quickly pinpoint relevant sections.
- Automated Linkages: Tools like Unriddle or MAXQDA link sections of text and make citation easier.
- AI Autocomplete: AI algorithms help refine phrasing or fill gaps while writing.
- Collaboration: Multiple researchers can work on the same project in real-time and analyze data collaboratively.
6. Limitations and Criticisms
Since the narrative review does not follow a prescribed, systematic method, it is prone to biased perspectives. Incomplete literature selection or a lack of quality assurance in the included studies can be points of criticism. Best practices suggest making the process as transparent as possible, for example by providing key search terms and explaining why certain studies were included or excluded.
Nevertheless, the narrative review remains an indispensable tool for providing a broad research overview, discussing theoretical connections, or developing new ideas. In young or interdisciplinary fields, where little empirical research exists, a narrative review can serve as a foundation to clarify research questions.
Conclusion
A narrative review is versatile and flexible, offering an excellent way to gain a detailed insight into a research field. It is particularly useful for critically examining theories or methods, identifying trends in the literature, or generating hypotheses for further studies. The greatest challenge – and strength – lies in the interpretive synthesis of diverse sources. A clear research question, a well-thought-out search process, transparent documentation, and a reflective approach to the author's focus are essential. By adhering to these principles, a narrative review can make a valuable contribution to the academic discussion.
Bibliography
ATLAS.ti. (2024, 21. Juli). What is a Narrative Literature Review? | Differences & How to Conduct One. https://atlasti.com/guides/literature-review/narrative-literature-review
Demiris, G., Oliver, D. P. & Washington, K. T. (2019). Defining and Analyzing the Problem. In Elsevier eBooks (S. 27–39). https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-12-814449-7.00003-x
Philip. (2024, 15. Januar). Literaturreview als Methode (narrativ, kritisch, etc.). Shribe! https://shribe.de/literaturreview-als-methode/
Unriddle Ltd. (2024). A Beginner's Guide On Narrative Literature Review. https://www.unriddle.ai/blog/narrative-literature-review
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is the main difference between a narrative and a systematic review?
A narrative review is more flexible and less formalized than a systematic review. While systematic reviews use strict search and selection criteria, a narrative review interprets studies to provide an overview without necessarily covering all relevant sources comprehensively.
2. For which topics is a narrative review especially suitable?
A narrative review is well-suited for fields where there is (still) no extensive or clearly structured body of data. It also helps compare theoretical or conceptual approaches and show complex developments over time.
3. How long should a narrative review be?
This depends on the scope of the topic and the requirements (e.g., from a university or journal). The important thing is that the review is comprehensive and that the most important studies and arguments are adequately discussed.
4. Can AI tools like Unriddle or MAXQDA replace a narrative review?
No, tools can only assist in the research and writing process. They do not replace the critical judgment of the authors. AI applications help organize and analyze texts, while the content synthesis and interpretation remain the responsibility of the researcher.
5. How should I deal with potential conflicts of interest or bias?
Transparency is key. Provide open disclosure of your search strategies, selection criteria, and personal interests. Regularly question your own assumptions and, where possible, consider diverse perspectives to minimize bias.