JGME Literature Review Series

This series provides an overview of 8 influential approaches to knowledge synthesis: Systematic Reviews, Realist Reviews, Narrative Reviews, Scoping Reviews, State-of-the-Art, Critical Reviews, Meta-ethnographic Reviews, and Integrative Reviews. For each literature review, 2 articles are provided: (1) an overview of the review type with background information on philosophical foundations, purposes, and expected products for readers and researchers, and (2) a short article with steps that outline the "nuts and bolts" of this type of review. 

 Introduction to the JGME Literature Review Series
Anna MacLeod, PhD; Robin Parker, MLIS; Lara Varpio, PhD

 Literature Reviews: Key Considerations and Tips From Knowledge Synthesis Librarians
Robin Parker, MLIS; Lindsey Sikora, MISt

 Understanding the Differences That Differentiate: A Model for Deciding Which Literature Review to Conduct
Lara Varpio, PhD; Robin Parker, MLIS; Anna MacLeod, PhD

Systematic Review 

 Systematic Reviews in Medical Education
Lauren A. Maggio, PhD; Anita Samuel, PhD; Elizabeth Stellrecht, MLS

 A Reader's Guide to Medical Education Systematic Reviews
Elizabeth Stellrecht, MLS; Anita Samuel, PhD; Lauren A. Maggio, PhD

Realist Review 

 Understanding Realist Reviews for Medical Education
Rola Ajjawi, PhD; Fiona Kent, PhD

 Realist Reviews: A Brief How-To
Fiona Kent, PhD; Rola Ajjawi, PhD

Narrative Review 

 Narrative Reviews: Flexible, Rigorous, and Practical
Javeed Sukhera, MD, PhD, FRCPC

 Narrative Reviews in Medical Education: Key Steps for Researchers
Javeed Sukhera, MD, PhD, FRCPC

Scoping Review 

 An Introduction to Scoping Reviews
Susanne Mak, MSc; Aliki Thomas, PhD

 Steps for Conducting a Scoping Review
Susanne Mak, MSc; Aliki Thomas, PhD

State-of-the-Art Literature Review 

 Understanding State-of-the-Art Literature Reviews
Erin S. Barry, MS; Jerusalem Merkebu, PhD; Lara Varpio, PhD

 How to Conduct a State-of-the-Art Literature Review
Erin S. Barry, MS; Jerusalem Merkebu, PhD; Lara Varpio, PhD

Meta-Ethnography Review 

 A Beginner's Guide to Meta-Ethnography
Victoria Luong, MD, MEd; Margaret Bearman, PhD; Anna MacLeod, PhD

 Understanding Meta-Ethnography in Health Professions Education Research
Victoria Luong, MD, MEd; Margaret Bearman, PhD; Anna MacLeod, PhD

Critical Review 

 Building Blocks for Critical Reviews in Health Professions Education
Renate Kahlke, PhD; Mark Lee, BHSc; Kevin W. Eva, PhD

 Critical Reviews in Health Professions Education Research
Renate Kahlke, PhD; Mark Lee, BHSc; Kevin W. Eva, PhD

Theoretical Integrative Review 

 The Theoretical Integrative Review—A Reader’s Guide
Michael J. Battistone, MD; Line Kemeyou, MD, FHFSA; Lara Varpio, PhD

 The Theoretical Integrative Review—A Researcher’s Guide
Michael J. Battistone, MD; Line Kemeyou, MD, FHFSA; Lara Varpio, PhD