How to Write a Systematic Review Article and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

In science, a review article refers to work that provides a comprehensive and systematic summary of results available in a given field while making it possible to see the topic under consideration from a new perspective. Drawing on recent studies by other researchers, the authors of a review article make a critical analysis and summarize, appraise, and classify available data to offer a synthesis of the latest research in a specific subject area, ultimately arriving at new cumulative conclusions. According to Baumeister and Leary (1997), the goal of such synthesis may include (a) theory development, (b) theory evaluation, (c) a