Timeframe: Similar timeframe to a Systematic Review (12+ months).
Question: Formulation of a problem, may be related to practice and/or policy in the field of nursing or health sciences.
Sources: Typically comprehensive but with a specific focus -- will incorporate integrated methodologies from experimental and non-experimental research. Purposive sampling may be utilized.
Searches: Besides database searching, grey literature may be incorporated. Other suggested approaches include journal hand searching, networking, and searching pre-print registries.
Selection: Selected as related to the question, inclusion criteria, and diverse study methodologies. A PRISMA Diagram may be utilized to help document the selection process.
Appraisal: Limited or varying methods of appraisal -- poorly defined when compared to other reviews. How quality is evaluated will vary depending on the time sampling frame.
Synthesis: Narrative synthesis for qualitative studies. Data extracted for study characteristics and concept. Synthesis may be in the form of a table, diagram, or model. Extracted data can be compared item by item so that similar data is categorized and grouped together.
Adapted from Temple University Libraries Systematic Review & Other Review Types Guide
