Strategies for completing a successful integrative review

Reviews of the literature provide a way summarizing individual research studies and other types articles to integrate existing knowledge about topic. As volume nursing healthcare has increased over years, clinicians researchers rely on reviews synthesize better understand topic identify what is known unknown it. evidence answer clinical questions guide practice policy decisions allow gaps in as basis for further study. Over many have evolved, they become more systematic their methodology. There also been greater recognition need complete accurate reporting methodology underlying readers judge quality review ensure it reproducible. This article describes one type review—an integrative review—and provides framework some guidelines conducting an review. Sutton et al.1 identified 48 grouped them into seven categories or families: traditional, systematic, umbrella, rapid, qualitative, mixed method, purpose-specific reviews. One categories, includes narrative reviews; critical (i.e., those that evaluate its quality)2; (reviews comprehensive understanding phenomenon inclusion diverse designs theoretical articles)3; summaries overview available single topic, often produced within short timeframe)4; state-of-the-art reviews, which offer new perspectives areas research.2 The selected should depend area interest, purpose review, but regardless type, methods used undertaking be adequately reported. Readers how were specific strategies reviewing synthesizing findings. Reporting designed help authors these manuscripts are clear, complete, transparent.5 aim Some such qualitative syntheses, limited empirical using design. For nursing, however, sources information needed describe Integrative include both based varied designs. Because multiple information, can lead complex concepts, theories, state science topic.6, 7 Hopia al.8 suggested holistic perspective In appears first Ganong9 described this including stages problem formulation, search, data evaluation, analysis, presentation Ganong emphasized held same standards primary research. Whittemore Knafl7 expanded provided methodological These important rigor Their five stages: (1) identification, (2) (3) (4) (5) Let's discuss each depth. An similar begins with description content interest: target population, addressed variables indicate examine broad range study literature. To search comprehensive, bibliographic databases searched combined ancestry (of references from reviewed) table contents journals publish It “fugitive” “grey” topic—that is, unpublished theses dissertations; conference presentations may not published; white papers, name few examples. stage involves evaluating Reviewers option retaining all meeting criteria quality, assessment contribute interpretation results where low typically given less weight. quantitative studies, evaluation requires different methodologies consistent stage, findings relevant extracted reports standardized template thoroughness consistency. Following extraction, reviewer compares found across interpret results. Analysis entails simple counts tallies (e.g., number designs, disciplinary outlets journals); coding focus aims); thematic analysis trends results). cases, mapped model conceptual (see e.g., Hill, Knafl, Santacroce10). method planned prior final presented conclusions. reporting, refer Equator Network (Enhancing Quality Transparency Health Research) (equator-network.org). strengthens overall if checks accompany process through participation individuals process. Typically, reaching consensus sample, extractions accuracy completeness, concurring Table 1 example by Fleming colleagues done management childhood congenital adrenal hyperplasia.11 Due comprehensiveness forms foundation librarian involved project team organized outset. initial return hundreds topics thousands citations, managed so accurately Reference software Endnote (Clarivate Analytics) Paperpile (Paperpile LLC) organize citations users add PDFs notes. Having person technical expertise manage useful; having assigned task cuts down possibility error loss. Again, due breadth will reviewed, assembled undertake project. Team members skill aspects theoretical/conceptual knowledge. under Everyone prepared read lot articles. While eliminated title, abstracts full-text determine included (and excluded) Doctoral students programs synthesis part curriculum well offering multi-paper dissertation option, papers. Other options while student mentored independent honors any research, grounded approach. experience, guidance expert essential. published thus publishable, making worth effort work. recent 6874 articles, 14.1% (n = 971) third most common review.12 They present since 1991.12 contrast synthesis, design, broader leads developed commonly nursing. Similar Marilyn H. Oermann, PhD, RN, ANEF, FAAN, Thelma M. Ingles Professor Nursing, Duke University School Durham, North Carolina, United States. She Editor Nurse Educator Journal Nursing Care Quality. Kathleen A. Professor, Carolina at Chapel