There are several types of literature reviews, as outlined by the University of Southern California. Argumentative reviews attempt to persuade the reader of a particular viewpoint. Integrative reviews allow the combination of different methodologies and synthesize existing knowledge to guide practice. Historical reviews examine research over time to place current work in historical context. Methodological reviews draw on conceptual and practical knowledge to highlight ethical issues. Systematic reviews use systematic methods to collect, appraise, and synthesize data qualitatively or quantitatively. Theoretical reviews establish existing theories, relationships between theories, and the degree theories have been investigated to develop new hypotheses.

1. Types of Literature Reviews
Literature reviews are pervasive throughout various academic disciplines, and thus you can adopt various
approaches to effectively organize and write your literature review. The University of Southern California
created a summarized list of the various types of literature reviews, reprinted here:
Argumentative Review
uses logic and reason to show that one idea is more legitimate than another. It attempts to persuade a
reader to adopt a certain point of view or to take a particular action.

2. Integrative Review
is the only approach that allows for the combination of diverse methodologoes (for example, experimental and
non-experimental research. The integrative review has been identified as a unique tool in healthcare for it
synthesizes investigations available on the given topic and guides practice based on scientific knowledge.
Historical Review
Few things rest in isolation from historical precedent. Historical reviews are focused on examining research
throughout a period of time, often starting with the first time an issue, concept, theory, phenomena emerged in the
literature, then tracing its evolution within the scholarship of a discipline. The purpose is to place research in a
historical context to show familiarity with state-of-the-art developments and to identify the likely directions for
future research.

3. Methodological Review
enables researchers to draw on a wide variety of knowledge ranging from the conceptual level to practical
documents for use in fieldwork in the areas of ontological and epistemological consideration, quantitative and
qualitative integration, sampling, interviewing, data collection and data analysis, and helps highlight many ethical
issues which we should be aware of and consider as we go through our study. Peer review process of applying
expert knowledge of acceptable criteria to determine whether a research protocol is sufficiently meritorious to
proceed. Scientific/methodological review is a constructive process.
Ontological
showing the relations between the concepts and
categories in a subject area or domain.
Epistemological
relating to the theory of knowledge, especially with
regard to its methods, validity, and scope, and the
distinction between justified belief and opinion.

4. Systematic Review
a review that uses systematic methods to collect secondary data, critically appraise research studies, and
synthesize findings qualitatively or quantitatively. They are designed to provide a complete, exhaustive
summary of current evidence relevant to a research question.
Stages:
1. Defining a question.
2. A search for relevant data.
3. 'Extraction' of relevant data.
4. Assess the quality of the data.
5. Analyse and combine the data

5. Theoretical Review
The theoretical literature review helps to establish what theories already exist, the relationships between
them, to what degree the existing theories have been investigated, and to develop new hypotheses to
be tested. Often this form is used to help establish a lack of appropriate theories or reveal that current
theories are inadequate for explaining new or emerging research problems. The unit of analysis can
focus on a theoretical concept or a whole theory or framework. The focus of theoretical literature review
is on theory rather than on application.

6. Theoretical Review
The theoretical literature review helps to establish what theories already exist, the relationships between
them, to what degree the existing theories have been investigated, and to develop new hypotheses to
be tested. Often this form is used to help establish a lack of appropriate theories or reveal that current
theories are inadequate for explaining new or emerging research problems. The unit of analysis can
focus on a theoretical concept or a whole theory or framework. The focus of theoretical literature review
is on theory rather than on application.