Framework for Conducting and Writing a Synthetic Literature Review

Abstract

The framework presented in this article supports researchers in translating the copious information gleaned from the research literature into a coherent synthesis and critical analysis of the state of knowledge on the topic, identification of gaps and inconsistencies in the body of research, and recognition of the next logical steps in the line of research inquiry. The framework sequence guides the researcher in a step-by-step fashion from selecting the research literature to be reviewed to analyzing the studies, identifying the patterns and trends in the literature, writing the literature review narrative, and drawing conclusions and implications. The framework approach ensures that the literature review will reflect the quality indicators expected of this kind of research whether the end product is the rationale for an empirical study or a freestanding synthetic literature review.