I am currently working on a narrative review and I need to know how to proceed with the format. Do we need to present the findings in a tabular format?
No, the normal formats are called MLA or Harvard, and some others. They relate to how footnotes and such things are organized. They are called "academic style manuals". The review in which you plan to publish will list their style manual at their website. Before you send your article you must make sure that the text is proofread and that you follow the style manual they require. If you do not, your article will probably not be accepted.
However, when you say "tabular format", I also think you need to download a literary review article and check how it is written. Normally literary methodology and academic tradition dictatate how the text is structured. I have studied literary history, and i am not sure what you mean by "tabular format" ? Do you mean that you have to pre-arrange your article according to the journal layout? If you do, the answer is no. You must follow their style manual.
A Narrative Literature Review is a type of literature review that provides a comprehensive summary and synthesis of the existing literature on a particular topic without necessarily following a strict systematic review methodology. It is characterized by a narrative, descriptive approach, where the author(s) summarize, analyze, and interpret the key findings and themes from a collection of relevant studies and sources. Unlike systematic reviews, which have a more structured and rigorous methodology, narrative reviews are often more flexible in terms of study inclusion criteria and data analysis.
Here is an outline of the key components and steps to write a Narrative Literature Review:
Introduction:Introduction to the Topic: Begin by introducing the topic or research question you are addressing in your literature review. Rationale: Explain why the topic is important and why a literature review is needed. Scope and Objectives: Define the scope of your review and the specific objectives or questions you aim to address.
Search Strategy:Describe the sources and databases you used to gather relevant literature. Explain your search terms and criteria for selecting studies or sources. Mention any limitations or challenges in your search process.
Organization and Synthesis:Group the literature into thematic sections or categories based on common themes, concepts, or research questions. Within each section, summarize the key findings and arguments from the selected studies. Provide critical analysis and discussion of the literature, highlighting agreements, disagreements, and gaps.
Discussion:Interpret the findings and discuss their implications for the research topic. Address any methodological or theoretical limitations in the existing literature. Offer insights or suggestions for future research directions.
Conclusion:Summarize the main contributions of the literature review. Reiterate the significance of the topic and the insights gained. Discuss any practical applications or policy implications, if relevant. Avoid introducing new information in the conclusion.
References:List all the sources you cited in your review following a specific citation style (e.g., APA, MLA, Chicago).
Appendices (if necessary):Include any supplementary material, such as tables, figures, or additional details, in appendices.
When writing a Narrative Literature Review, it's essential to maintain a clear and coherent narrative flow throughout the paper. Make sure to critically evaluate the quality of the studies you include and provide context for the reader to understand the significance of each study within the broader literature. Additionally, adhere to the citation and formatting guidelines specified by the publication or institution you are submitting your review to.
Here's a general outline for the correct format of a Narrative Literature Review:
Title Page:Title: A concise and informative title that reflects the focus of your literature review. Author(s) names and affiliations. Contact information for corresponding author. Any acknowledgments or funding sources.
Abstract: A structured summary of your literature review, typically including:Background: A brief introduction to the topic. Objectives: The main objectives or purposes of the review. Methods: Brief description of the methods used (narrative review). Results: Summary of the key findings from the literature. Conclusion: Main conclusions or implications. The abstract should be clear, concise, and around 150-250 words.
Introduction:Provide an introduction to the topic and the context of the literature review. Explain the scope and objectives of the review. Define any key terms or concepts that will be used throughout the review. State the rationale for conducting the review.
Body of the Review:Organize the body of the review based on themes, topics, or research questions. Provide a comprehensive and critical analysis of the relevant literature. Discuss the main findings and key arguments from each study or source. Identify gaps, inconsistencies, and areas of agreement or disagreement in the literature. Use clear subheadings to structure different sections of your review.
Discussion:Summarize the main findings from the reviewed literature. Discuss the implications of the findings for the field. Highlight any limitations or methodological issues in the studies you reviewed. Offer insights or suggestions for future research. Provide a coherent synthesis of the literature.
Conclusion:Sum up the key points and contributions of your literature review. Emphasize the significance of your review within the broader context of the field. Restate the objectives and the relevance of the topic. Avoid introducing new information in the conclusion.
References:List all the references you cited in your literature review following a specific citation style (e.g., APA, MLA, Chicago). Ensure that your citations are accurate and consistent throughout the manuscript.
Appendices (if necessary):Include any supplementary material, such as tables, figures, or additional details, in appendices.
Remember to carefully follow the specific formatting and style guidelines of the journal or publication you intend to submit your manuscript to, as these guidelines can vary. Additionally, make sure to thoroughly proofread and edit your manuscript for clarity, coherence, and proper citation formatting.