Writing narrative review
A narrative review is a type of review article that summarizes the current knowledge on a particular topic using a narrative format. Unlike a systematic review, which follows a pre-defined protocol and criteria for selecting studies to be included, a narrative review is more flexible and allows the author to explore a broader range of literature.
In a narrative review, the author typically starts by introducing the topic and providing some background information. They then proceed to summarize the key findings from the existing literature, often presenting the information in a chronological or thematic order. The author may also include their own insights or interpretations of the findings, as well as any gaps or areas for future research.
One of the advantages of a narrative review is that it allows the author to provide a more in-depth and nuanced analysis of the topic, compared to a systematic review. It also allows for a more engaging and accessible writing style, which can make the information more easily digestible for the reader.
However, one potential limitation of a narrative review is that it may be more prone to bias, as the author's selection of literature and interpretation of the findings may be influenced by their own perspective. Additionally, the lack of a systematic approach to selecting and analyzing the literature may result in a less comprehensive and rigorous review.
Overall, a narrative review can be a valuable tool for synthesizing and communicating the current state of knowledge on a topic, but authors should be mindful of potential biases and limitations in order to provide a balanced and informative review.