Evidence Synthesis
Review articles synthesize and critically appraise existing literature to summarize current knowledge and identify gaps.
Review articles synthesize and critically appraise existing literature to summarize current knowledge and identify gaps.
When to select this type
Choose Review Article for expert narrative synthesis that is not a formal systematic review or meta-analysis.
Typical audience
Researchers, clinicians, students, and policymakers seeking field orientation.
Recommended use cases
Purpose
Provide expert synthesis of a topic without necessarily following full systematic review methodology.
Scope
Narrative or critical reviews of published literature on a defined topic.
Typical structure
Required sections
Recommended sections
Figures
0–4 conceptual diagrams or summary figures.
Tables
0–3 summary tables of included studies or themes.
References
50–150 references typical.
Supplementary material
Search strategy details, excluded references, extended tables.
Required metadata
Required declarations
Funding requirements
Declare funding for the review. Note any sponsor influence on scope.
Conflict of interest
Disclose relationships with topics, interventions, or organizations reviewed.
Ethics requirements
Not typically required unless the review includes unpublished primary data.
Consent requirements
Not applicable unless unpublished patient data are included.
Data availability
Share search strategies or supplementary tables when provided.
AI disclosure
Disclose AI use in literature screening or drafting.
Copyright
Authors retain copyright subject to selected license.
Licensing
CC BY 4.0 recommended for educational reuse.
Export formats supported
Standardize reporting of scoping reviews that chart concepts, sources, and evidence types.
Typical journal expectations
Clear scope statement, structured headings, comprehensive reference list.
Typical peer review process
Editorial screening and peer review focused on completeness and balance.
Journal compatibility notes
Suitable for journals publishing narrative reviews and field overviews.
Submission readiness checklist
Select Review Article when your manuscript matches the scope, structure, and reporting expectations described on this page. If your work fits a different scholarly format, review similar publication types before submitting.
Contact the editorial team before payment if you need to change publication type. After editorial screening begins, type changes require editorial approval and may restart parts of the review process.
Reporting guidelines listed as recommended should be followed when applicable to your study design. Editorial reviewers assess completeness against the expectations for your selected publication type.
Platform standards for ethical research publication.
Transparent, ethical, and accountable AI use across research and publishing.
Transparency, independence, and responsible disclosure across research and publishing.