WRITING A REVIEW ARTICLE? THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW

By -


WHAT IS A REVIEW ARTICLE?

It is a critical, constructive analysis of the literature in a specific field through summary, classification, analysis and comparison. It can also be said to be a scientific text relying on previously published literature or data. The striking thing in a review article is that new data from the author’s experiments are not presented rather a critical evaluation of the data available from existing studies  is done. Review articles can identify potential research areas to explore next and sometimes conclusions are drawn from the existing data.

WHAT IS THE FUNCTION OF A REVIEW ARTICLE?

I need to mention that review article can also be called a  literature review, the main objective is critical evaluation of previously published research on a topic of interest. Therefore review article helps to

Ø   Organize literature

Ø   Evaluate literature

Ø  Synthesize literature

Ø   Identify patterns and trends in literature as it concerns a particular topic

Ø   Provide a comprehensive foundation on a topic

Ø  Explain current state of knowledge on a topic

Ø   Identify research gaps and recommend new research areas

TYPES OF REVIEW ARTICLE

Before you start your review article, you need to know the type of review article you want to write. Review articles are divided into two main categories

Ø  NARRATIVE REVIEW:  it is written in an easily readable format and allow the consideration of subject matter within a large spectrum. Selected studies are compared and summarized on the basis of the author’s experience, existing theories and models. Results are based on a qualitative rather than a quantitative analysis.

Ø  SYSTEMATIC REVIEW: This involves a very detailed and comprehensive literature survey on the selected topic with relatively lesser involvement of author bias. Systematic review is regarded as the gold standard articles and can be divided into qualitative and quantitative reviews. Detailed and comprehensive literature survey  are done in both but in quantitative reviews study data are collected and statistically evaluated. Findings from various individual studies are analyzed statistically by strict procedures. Meta-Analyses are used to pool the results of individual studies

WHAT IS THE LENGTH OF A REVIEW ARTICLE?

Ø  Review articles vary considerably in length.

Ø  Narrative reviews may range between 8,000 and 40,000 words (references and everything else included).

Ø   Systematic reviews are usually shorter with less than 10,000 words.

What is important is that you need to define your scope and the research question you want to answer making sure that your article contributes something new to the body of knowledge.

FIND SOURCES TO EVALUATE

It is important that you use multiple search engines/data base when finding sources to evaluate so that you do not miss out any important published work in your area of interest.

For more information on review in medical Science, read publication from NCBI

STRUCTURE OF A REVIEW

Your Review article should contain the following

•       TITLE

•       SUMMARY/ABSTRACT

•       INTRODUCTION

•       CONTENT (your review)

•       DISCUSSION

•       CONCLUSION.

•       REFERENCES

TITLE: between eight to 12 words

Ø   It  help readers to decide whether they should read the text or not, therefore it needs to be clear

SUMMARY/ABSTRACT

•       Informs about the main objectives and result of the review article , usually between 200 to 250 words and should contain the following

•       Introduction

•       Aim

•       Methods

•       Results(your findings)

•       Conclusion / Recommendation

•       Keywords

Your title and abstract are first thing people read about your article so they need to be clear, concise, accurate and informative.

Your keywords will help maximize the visibility of your article online, ensuring the  right readers find your article

INTRODUCTION:

•       Provides information about the context, indicates the motivation for the review, defines the focus, the research question and explains the text structure

THE BODY OF THE REVIEW

•       The REVIEW should be a balanced discussion and evaluation of the strengths, weakness and notable features of the text.

•       Remember to base your discussion on specific criteria.

•        Good reviews also include other sources to support your evaluation (remember to reference).

•       If your critique is more positive than negative, then present the negative points first and the positive last.

•       You could begin by stating what is good about the idea and then concede and explain how it is limited in some way.

•       Evaluate Studies that agree with another versus studies that disagree

•        Rewrite them in your own words and in complete sentences

•          Use reporting verbs and phrases (eg; The author describes…, Smith argues that …).

•          If you include unique or specialist phrases from the text, use quotation marks.

DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION/ REFERENCES

Ø  Present a summary of the key points along with a limited number of example.

Ø  You can also briefly explain the purpose/intentions throughout the text and you may briefly describe how the text is organized and also express your own views

Ø  Your conclusion should be able to answer research question set in the introduction

Ø  Conclude by stating your main findings

Ø  REFERENCES   Shows interested readers how to find the literature mentioned in the text.

RECOMMENDATION

This can include making suggestions for further research on the topic

PROOFREAD. You need to do a final spell and grammar check before submission for publication in a reputable journal

 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

How to Write a Good Scientific Article: A Comprehensive guide

By -
Image
  Introduction: A good scientific article is the cornerstone of effective communication within the scientific community. It serves as a platform to present groundbreaking research and findings, increasing the collective knowledge of mankind. However, crafting such an article is a meticulous process that involves adhering to specific guidelines and adopting a professional tone. In this article, we will provide a comprehensive guide on how to write a good scientific article, covering various essential aspects from structuring the article to incorporating accurate data and citations. Understanding the Structure of a Scientific Article 1. Title: - The title should be concise, informative, and capture the essence of the research. - The abstract An abstract is a concise and comprehensive summary of a research paper or academic article. It serves as a preview of the main points and findings discussed in the full text. A good abstract should adhere to specific guidelines to effectiv...
Read more

Boost Your H-Index Score on Google Scholar: 7 Proven Strategies

By -
Image
  Introduction: As an academic researcher, your H-Index on Google Scholar is a crucial metric that reflects your scholarly impact and influence. A higher H-Index score not only increases your credibility within your field but also enhances your career prospects. In this article, we will explore seven effective strategies to improve your H-Index score on Google Scholar. 1.  Publish High-Quality Research: The foundation of a strong H-Index score lies in publishing high-quality research. Focus on producing impactful, original, and peer-reviewed articles. Choose reputable journals and conferences to ensure your work reaches a broader audience and gets cited more frequently. 2.  Collaborate with Esteemed Researchers: Collaboration with renowned researchers can significantly impact your H-Index score. Seek opportunities to collaborate on research projects, co-author publications, and engage in interdisciplinary work. Diverse collaborations often lead to increased citations and ...
Read more

Bias and Stereotyping as a Challenge for female scholars

By -
Image
  Once upon a time, in a prestigious university, there was a brilliant and ambitious student named Nneoma. She was a young African woman pursuing a Ph.D. in Physics, a field dominated by men. Nneoma's dream was to become a leading researcher and professor, inspiring future generations of girls and women to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). One day, while working in the lab, Nneoma's advisor, Dr. Smith, approached her. "Nneoma, I think you're wasting your time in this field," he said. "Physics is a male domain. You should focus on more feminine pursuits like biology or education." Nneoma was taken aback, but she stood her ground. "Dr. Smith, my passion and talent are in physics. I'm just as capable as any male student." Dr. Smith smirked. "You're not going to make it in this field, Nneoma. You're too emotional, too nurturing. You should leave the heavy thinking to the men." Nneoma f...
Read more