What is a Descriptive Literature Review?

Descriptive literature reviews provide comprehensive summaries of existing research on a specific topic. They offer an organized overview without engaging in critical analysis or evaluation. These reviews detail the main findings, methodologies, and theoretical frameworks used in relevant studies. By synthesizing a wide range of research, they present a broad picture of the current state of knowledge in the field. They help identify trends, patterns, and gaps within the literature that can guide future investigations.

Descriptive literature reviews are valuable for researchers and practitioners because they offer an essential context for new research endeavours and inform practical applications. They establish a solid foundation for future studies by enhancing understanding of the scope of existing research. They support the development of research questions and methodologies based on the summarized evidence. Descriptive reviews make it easier for other researchers to understand the empirical evidence on a subject by reviewing literature thematically.

When to conduct a narrative literature review?

Descriptive literature reviews are conducted at various stages in the research process for several reasons. They are often done at the beginning of a research project to provide a comprehensive overview of the existing knowledge on a specific topic. This helps researchers understand what has already been studied and identify gaps in the literature that can be addressed. Descriptive reviews are also useful when summarizing a broad field of study to offer a foundational understanding for new researchers or practitioners entering the field.

Descriptive reviews are done when there is a need to compile and present existing research findings in a clear and organized manner, such as for educational purposes, policy-making, or informing practice in a specific area. They help establish a context for subsequent, more detailed research reviews, such as systematic or critical reviews. For example, if reviewing the literature on social media’s impact on mental health, a descriptive review might organize findings from different papers by age groups or social media platforms used. This allows for a thematicsynthesis of how different demographics are affected.

This type of review is also useful for other researchers when discussing identified gaps or differences in the subject, as it organizes a large body of empirical evidence and research evidence coherently. For example, a descriptive review of climate change might catalogue studies on various mitigation strategies. This enables researchers to see at a glance which strategies have been most extensively studied and where further research is needed. By identifying key themes, trends, and gaps, descriptive reviews set the stage for more focused research efforts.