How is a narrative review characterized in terms of structure?

A narrative review is characterized by its unstructured and informal nature. Unlike systematic reviews, which adhere to strict methodological guidelines and require a defined process for selecting and analyzing studies, a narrative review provides a more flexible approach. This type of review summarizes and synthesizes the available literature on a given topic based on the author’s perspective and expertise rather than following a rigorous methodology.

By being informal, narrative reviews can incorporate various types of studies, perspectives, and findings in a cohesive manner, allowing for a broader discussion of the subject matter. This kind of review is especially useful for generating hypotheses, exploring complex topics, and providing an overview of research trends without the constraints of detailed statistical analyses or rigid criteria for study inclusion. This flexibility enables the author to highlight areas of interest, gaps in research, and implications for practice without being confined to quantitative data.