| |
Purpose |
Features |
Time Frame |
Example Question |
| Literature Review (Narrative Review) |
- Provide an overview and synthesis of published work on a topic
- Background chapters, proposals, when developing a new research question, or building background, theory
|
- Selective search (not comprehensive)
- No formal quality appraisal
- Thematic or chronological organization
- Author interprets and synthesizes findings
- Output Type: Narrative summary
|
|
- What is currently known about mindfulness interventions in schools?
|
| Case Study |
- Provide an in-depth description of a single case or small group
- Rare, novel, or illustrative cases in clinical, educational, or organizational contexts or illustrating unique cases
|
- Descriptive and retrospective
- Focuses on detailed observation, not causation
- Follows CARE Guidelines (clinical)
- Output Type: In-depth report
|
|
- How did an innovative sensory integration approach impact one child with autism?
|
| Scoping Review |
- Explore the breadth of evidence, map key concepts, and identify knowledge gaps
- Broad or emerging topics where research questions are not yet clearly defined, or exploring and identifying gaps
|
- Broad, exploratory scope
- Comprehensive search, reproducible search (includes grey literature)
- Explicit inclusion/exclusion criteria
- No formal quality appraisal required
- Identifies research gaps and conceptual definitions
- Uses PRISMA-ScR and JBI frameworks
- Output Type: Evidence map
|
|
- What research exists on non-pharmaceutical treatments for ADHD?
|
| Systematic Review |
- Answer a focused question using all available high-quality evidence
- Clinical, educational, or policy questions that need evidence-based recommendations, or answering focused questions
|
- Comprehensive, reproducible search (includes grey literature)
- Explicit inclusion/exclusion criteria
- Requires critical appraisal and risk of bias assessment
- Follows PRISMA 2020 and Cochrane/JBI guidelines
- Output Type: Evidence synthesis
|
|
- Is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy effective in treating ADHD in young adults?
|
| Meta-Analysis |
- Statistically combine results from multiple studies to produce a precise estimate of effect
- Quantitative data synthesis across comparable studies quantifying effects
|
- Often part of a systematic review
- Uses statistical methods to pool findings
- Requires homogeneous studies and quality appraisal
- Follows PRISMA 2020 guidelines
- Output Type: Statistical synthesis
|
|
- What is the pooled effect of physical activity interventions on adolescent anxiety?
|
| Rapid Review |
- Quickly summarize available evidence to support urgent decision-making
- Policy or clinical settings where time and resources are limited
- Fast decision support
|
- Condensed version of a systematic review
- Search and appraisal may be abbreviated
- Follows Cochrane Rapid Review or WHO guidance
- Output Type: Evidence summary
|
|
- What evidence supports telehealth in occupational therapy during public health emergencies?
|
| Bibliometric Analysis |
- Quantitatively analyze research patterns, impact, and trends within a field
- Understanding how a topic has evolved, who the key contributors are, and where research is headed
- Tracking field evolution
|
- Uses citation, co-citation, and keyword analysis
- Identifies influential authors, journals, and institutions
- Follows Bibliometrix (Aria & Cuccurullo, 2017) and PRISMA-S for search reporting
- Quantitative, data-driven approach
- Output Type: Statistical trends/maps
|
|
- What are the global publication trends in occupational therapy education from 2000–2024?
|
