STEM: Lit Reviews

A proper literature review is the INTIAL STEP in conducting STEM research.  They serve these purposes:

• build or refine new hypotheses
• inform the design of new experiments 
• provide context for experimental findings

Proficiency in conducting and dissecting literature reviews leads to the following outcomes:

1. Broadens perspectives by learning the evolution of the research topic and identifying unanswered questions. 
2. Connects to the core scientific process by making evidence-based claims followed up through a literature review.
3. Gains experiential learning that research is collaborative in nature across disciplinary boundaries.
4. Develops skills in retrieving information through effective reading and analysis.
5. Hones skills in effective writing and communication to share knowledge.

Hati, S., & Bhattacharyya, S. (2024). Writing a literature review as a class project in an upper‐level undergraduate biochemistry course. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education, 52(3), 311-316.

Purpose & Scope:

1. Background or Mini-review - short reviews focused on the last few years; limited words and citations; serve as background for an empirical study. Generally, these reviews: 
   1. justify research design decisions
   2. provide theoretical context, or
   3. identify a gap in the literature
       
2. Standalone or Full-review - detailed coverage of the complexities of a particular scientific development. Generally, these reviews attempt to make sense of a body entire of of existing literature through:
   1. aggregation
   2. interpretation
   3. explanation, and/or
   4. integration

Types (excludes Quantitative or Experiential Reviews):

1. Traditional reviews 
   1. Critical Review - extensive & critical analysis of articles' quality; goes beyond simple description typically resulting in a hypothesis or model.
   2. Narrative Review - persuasive presentation of literature to support overall conclusions;  lacks a formal data extraction process
   3. State of the Art Review - address more current matters in contrast with other retrospective & current approaches; may offer new perspectives or point out research gaps
       
2. Review of Reviews
   1. Umbrella Reviews - compiles evidence from multiple reviews into one accessible and usable document
       
3. Systematic Reviews
   1. Systematic Review - systematically search for, appraise and synthesize research evidence often adhering to a highly specific methodology. 
   2. Meta-analysis - statistically combines the results of quantitative studies to provide a more precise effect of the results.
4. Purpose Specific Reviews
   1. Scoping Review - preliminary assessment of potential size & scope of available research literature; aims to identify the nature & extent of research evidence
   2. Methodological Review - examines & investigates current research methods and potentially their impact on research quality.

Pautasso M.(2013). Ten simple rules for writing a literature review. PLoS Comput Biol., 9(7):e1003149. doi:10.1371/journal.pcbi.1003149.

Sutton, A., Clowes, M., Preston, L., & Booth, A. (2019). Meeting the review family: exploring review types and associated information retrieval requirements. Health Information & Libraries Journal, 36(3), 202-222., and

Xiao, Y., & Watson, M. (2019). Guidance on conducting a systematic literature review. Journal of Planning Education and Research, 39(1), 93-112. https://doi.org/10.1177/0739456X17723971