Finding review articles , Te rapu arotakenga atikara

Learn how to search article databases for review articles using search limits or keywords.

A review article is an attempt by one or more writers to sum up the current state of the research literature on a particular topic.

Ideally, the writer searches for everything relevant to the topic and then sorts it into a coherent view.

Review articles should identify:

  • the search methodology
  • key articles on the topic
  • the main people working in a field
  • recent major advances and discoveries
  • significant gaps in the research
  • current debates
  • ideas of where research might go next.

How to find review articles

You can find review articles by searching one or more article databases for your research topic and narrowing your search to show review articles only.

There are two ways to do this, depending on the database:

  • use search limits
  • use keywords.

Use search limits

Some databases such as Scopus and Google Scholar let you limit your search to review articles only.

This function could be:

  • a checkbox
  • a menu selection.

To limit your search to review articles in Scopus do the following.

  1. Set up your search and run as usual.
  2. In the results, find the limiter (usually a checkbox or menu option) for review articles, reviews or literature reviews.
  3. Select it, and your results will limit to review articles.

Note:

  • the review limit in Discover and some other databases limits search results to book reviews rather than review articles. Use keywords instead to find review articles.
  • peer-reviewed is not the same as review articles. An article is peer-reviewed if it has been evaluated by a group of experts in the field.

Use keywords

Find review articles in any database by adding review or the phrases “literature review” or “review of the literature” to your search.

This method may also find additional review articles in databases that already offer a review limiter.

Databases

Good databases to start your search for review articles are:

  • Annual Reviews (database of critical reviews)
  • Discover (add review as a keyword or the phrases “literature review” or “review of the literature”)
  • Scopus (limit your search to Document Type – Review)
  • Google Scholar (use the Review articles limit or add review as a keyword).

Annual Reviews

Discover

Scopus

Google Scholar

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