The Purpose of a Nursing Literature Review
A literature review demonstrates your command of existing knowledge on a topic, identifies gaps in research, and provides a scholarly foundation for your own study or argument. It is far more than a summary — it requires critical synthesis, evaluation of evidence quality, and thematic organisation.
Types of Literature Reviews
Narrative Literature Reviews
A broad synthesis of literature on a topic, presenting themes and patterns in current evidence. Ideal for contextualising a study or exploring a clinical issue comprehensively.
Systematic Literature Reviews
A reproducible, PRISMA-compliant search of multiple databases with inclusion/exclusion criteria, quality appraisal tools (CASP, JBI), and structured synthesis of findings.
Integrative Reviews
Combining quantitative and qualitative evidence to provide a more complete understanding of a healthcare phenomenon, particularly useful for complex nursing practice questions.
Our Search Process
We develop a structured search strategy using Boolean operators, MeSH terms, and PICO(T) frameworks across CINAHL, PubMed, Cochrane, Embase, and PsycINFO databases. All searches are documented and reproducible.
Critical Appraisal
Every included study is evaluated for methodological rigour using validated tools such as the CASP Checklist, Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) tools, and the Hierarchy of Evidence pyramid.
Referencing & Word Counts
Available from 1,500 to 15,000 words. We support APA 7, Harvard, Vancouver, and any university-specific format.
