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TABLE 7-9: TYPES OF REVIEW AND WHAT EACH ENTAILS
Type Purpose When it fits Level of rigor

Interpreting a field, a When the aim is Flexible; the limits of
Narrative
theory, or a broad understanding and the search must be
review
debate. analysis, not full coverage. declared.

Mapping a broad field,
When the question is wide
Scoping review the types of evidence, Medium to high.
or the topic is new.
and the gaps.

Answering a defined
When the question is clear
Systematic question with a
and inclusion criteria are High.
review documented, repeatable
settled.
method.

Medium;
Giving an answer within
Under decision or policy transparency about
Rapid review a limited time with
pressure. the trade-offs is
declared trade-offs.
essential.

Showing where evidence When planning research
Evidence map exists and where the or a decision, before Medium.
gaps are. causal inference.

Quantitatively When the studies are
Meta-analysis Very high.
combining effect sizes. statistically comparable.

Choosing the type early prevents a common error: using a powerful tool to attach a

systematic-sounding label to work that has neither a protocol nor a repeatable search.

7.4 Screening Sources, Appraising Quality, and Judging the Strength of Evidence
◆ Key idea: a source is not the same as evidence.

Finding a source does not mean including it, and including it does not mean it carries the
same weight as another. Judge five things separately: whether the source answers your
question, how well the study was done, where bias could enter, whether it has been peer
reviewed, and whether it applies to your context.

Screening begins with inclusion and exclusion criteria written, as far as possible, before the
results are read. The criteria define the population or phenomenon, the intervention or
exposure, the outcomes, the design, the period, the language, and the type of publication.

The purpose is not to narrow the evidence until it agrees with a desired result, but to ensure
that decisions are consistent and can be explained. If a criterion changes during the work,

the change, its reason, and its effect are recorded.

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