What characterizes a narrative review?

A narrative review is characterized by its ability to summarize key findings and theories in a more descriptive and interpretative manner, rather than adhering to a strict methodological framework. This type of review often provides a comprehensive overview of a particular topic by incorporating various studies and perspectives, thereby highlighting important themes, trends, and insights based on the existing literature.

Unlike systematic reviews, which require a rigorous and predefined methodology to ensure consistency and replicability in finding and evaluating studies, narrative reviews allow for more flexibility in how information is gathered and presented. They typically do not prescribe specific criteria for the inclusion or exclusion of studies, which enables a broader exploration of the topic at hand.

This format is highly valuable when the goal is to provide a synthesis of existing knowledge and theoretical perspectives rather than to perform a quantitative analysis or draw statistical conclusions. Thus, it serves as a useful resource for researchers and practitioners seeking to understand the broader implications of research findings without getting mired in the technicalities of data collection and analysis.