doi:10.1037/1089-2680.1.3.311

Paper Title

Writing Narrative Literature Reviews

Authors

Roy F. Baumeister

Mark R. Leary

Keywords

Narrative Literature Reviews
Scientific Writing
Empirical Reports
Post Hoc Theorizing
Null-Hypothesis Conclusion
Methodological Diversity
Hypothesis Evaluation
Evidence Interpretation
Literature Review Mistakes
Scientific Function
Review Manuscripts
Research Synthesis
Writing Guidelines
Academic Writing
Scientific Literature

Article Type

Research Article

Journal

Review of General Psychology

Research Impact Tools

DOI

10.1037/1089-2680.1.3.311

Issue

Volume : 1 | Issue : 3 | Page No : 311-320

Published On

September, 1997

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Abstract

Narrative literature reviews serve a vital scientific function, but few resources help people learn to write them. As compared with empirical reports, literature reviews can tackle broader and more abstract questions, can engage in more post hoc theorizing without the danger of capitalizing on chance, can make a stronger case for a null-hypothesis conclusion, and can appreciate and use methodological diversity better. Also, literature reviews can draw any of 4 conclusions: The hypothesis is correct, it has not been conclusively established but is the currently best guess, it is false, or the evidence permits no conclusion. Common mistakes of authors of literature review manuscripts are described.