Evidence Synthesis Methods Interest Group

Good morning,

I recognize the focus of this interest group is on evidence / synthesis reviews (SRs) but I am looking for recommendations on useful articles or book chapters that discuss guidelines on conducting rigorous traditional literature reviews.  While working with grad students who are starting their lit reviews as part of their dissertation or thesis, I have found many of them crave the kind of direction or structure (i.e. guidelines or methods) afforded by SRs (but they themselves are not in a position to undertake a formal SRs as part of their studies).  While I use the term "traditional" lit reviews, it would be helpful to have a more fulsome break-down of the different kinds of reviews considered under this concept and the guidelines or methods underpinning each. I was thinking of Sutton, A., Clowes, M., Preston, L., & Booth, A. (2019), but while this article outlines the continuum of review types, it doesn't shed much light on the methodology underpinning these more traditional lit reviews.

To be honest, I'm not 100% certain on what I am looking for but I think I will know it when I see it ��

Thank-you for any direction or recommendations you can provide.

Cheers,

Angie Gerrard

Angie Gerrard, BA, MLIS
Pronouns: she/her/hers

Learning Support Librarian & Liaison to Psychology & Political Studies
Student Learning Services, University Library
University of Saskatchewan
Room 122.6, Murray Building, 3 Campus Dr
Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A4
306.966.6004

Hi Angie,

I recently made an infographic for a literature review process in public administration. Not an article, but it discussed some processes, tools, and basic search techniques, which was designed to help our doctoral students in public administration to complete their dissertation.

https://library.wcupa.edu/lit_rev_pa

And my recent article on business systematic reviews discussed some of the approaches I used in developing the literature review guide. I hope it can be helpful in some way to guide your students through this process.

Best,

Grace

Grace Liu, MBA, MSLIS  
Assistant Professor

Business Librarian

FHG Library| West Chester University

T: 610-436-2917 | yliu@wcupa.edu

Hi Angie,
I would recommend Thomas Mann's The Oxford Guide to Library Research.  It was a textbook for my library school's reference class.  I still vividly recall thinking WHY didn't anyone explain this to me when I was in a Sociology PhD program?  I would have really benefited from it as a grad student.  The latest edition is from 2015.  Obviously it's a book rather than an article or book chapter, so will require a bigger commitment to read, but it is comprehensive and worth the time invested.

Best,

Jenn

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Jennifer Huck

Data Librarian & Liaison to the School of Data Science

University of Virginia Library

jah2ax@virginia.edu | 434-243-8480

Schedule a Research Consultation