Roselyn T. Lacerna
BSED – Sciences 3D
September 25, 2021
A Reflection Paper on the Anatomy of an Excellent Review Paper
by Emma J. Sayer
I have learned that writing a review paper can provide a comprehensive and good
foundation of knowledge on a certain topic. Certainly, for researchers, review papers are
an invaluable resource. They are a good initial port of call for the reader looking to learn
about a new topic area, that is according to Sayer (2018).
A competent review study may clarify the current state of knowledge, explain
apparent inconsistencies, uncover research gaps, and even generate consensus where
none previously existed. A good review might also help you grow in your profession.
Reviews aid with exposure and marketing because they are frequently mentioned. In
order to achieve an excellent review paper, the writer may consider the following; valuing
hallmarks of a good integrative review, making an outline to determine the structure,
appropriation of the flow of information and its level of detail, balanced inclusions of
information and discernment of common issues and things to avoid.
The synthesis of the literature in an integrative review is generally informed by one
or more key concepts, and it adds value to the study field. The review's main goal is
formed by the concepts and added value taken together. To add value, a good review
summarizes and synthesizes by integrating existing data with fresh ideas. This additional
value is generally focused on one or two important concepts that provide a significant
contribution to the study field, such as exposing common patterns, raising innovative
questions, or providing new approaches. I have understood that it has a clear reasoning
and defined goals, provides an overview to create the background, and then delivers
material in a logical structure to support and develop the core themes. The only distinction
of integrative review paper from empirical research is that the supporting data comes from
previously published research rather than empirical data.
In making an outline for review paper, there are no defined criteria for organizing
them, unlike empirical research papers, because the structure is primarily determined by
the content, although there are some excellent general principles for this. Outlining will
aid in the construction and organization of concepts in a logical and sequential manner.
This helps you to select important material or quotations from sources early in the writing
process, providing authors with a solid foundation and groundwork. Indeed, having a clear
methodology for integrating portions authored by different persons is critical, therefore the
outline should detail how this will be accomplished.
The flow of information and details is very important as well. In doing this, we must
consider organization. Literature reviews, like other academic papers, must include at
least three fundamental elements: an introduction or background information part; the
review's body, which contains the discussion of sources; and, lastly, the paper's
conclusion or recommendations section. The proper amount of information is determined
by the review's emphasis. It is typically more useful to illustrate broad trends or
discrepancies across a number of studies than to detail individual research articles.
Moreover, I have learned that additional value should assist you in striking the delicate
balance between generality and specificity; a broad topic area makes it difficult to
generate fresh ideas, while a tight emphasis restricts the review's usefulness to others.
Inclusions of an excellent review paper may satisfy the following questions like;
Does your introduction clarify the review's motivation and contribution to the field of
research? Will your evaluation inspire and direct future work, or will it introduce fresh
ideas? Can you back up your claims with theory and evidence from the past? Have you
used existing material to summarize and synthesize it throughout the text? Does the
'added value' pervade the whole content? Is the degree of information adequate, and are
there enough examples? Is your review clear and potentially beneficial to individuals who
aren't familiar with the topic? With all these questions considered, we can attain good
point in our integrative review paper.
If you spend the majority of the text summarizing the literature and save the
synthesis for the conclusion, your review will fall short of its goals. Remember that the
added value should lead the work from beginning to end; otherwise, the objective of
synthesizing the literature is defeated by leaving fresh ideas or advancements for the last
conclusions. In a literature review, avoid utilizing emotive language. The literature review
is meant to provide a fair representation of existing ideas and research on your issue. It
should always be objective and never subjective. Also, we must avoid attempting to
create a hybrid of an integrated review and a meta-analysis, since this frequently results
in a poor example of both types of work.
Lastly, the editorial taught me of how to be a skillful writer by simply making my
audience, future researchers and writers understood my work. A literature review serves
as the foundation for significant education research, ensuring relevance, originality,
generalizability, and impact. A literature review establishes context, educates technique,
promotes creativity, eliminates duplication of effort, and ensures that professional
standards are fulfilled.