Conducting and Reporting Integrative Research Reviews: Accumulating Scientific Knowledge

Abstract

Integrative research reviews are conceptualized as empirical research. Guidelines are offered to promote rigorous standards for conducting and reporting reviews in counselor education and supervision.

Integrative Review: Concepts And Methods Used In Nursing

“…(8,24) 1987 (11) First author to write about IR in the field of nursing, while expanding to other purposes such as suggestions for new theoretical questions, identification of research gaps, and support for research on conflicting hypotheses. (8) 1991 (12) Empirical research with the purpose to: develop theory, synthesize knowledge, and evaluate substantive methodological advances, in addition to generalizing inference from the analysis of empirical studies. IR should follow the same theoretical-methodological rigor required in traditional empirical research, and its results should enable researchers to access accumulated knowledge by problematizing a topic of interest.…”

“…The concepts of IR refer to generalizing inferences (8,(11)(12) , summarizing and synthesizing accumulated knowledge (9)(10)15,20) and interrelating results from previous studies in a critical manner to produce new, integrated knowledge (7,(13)(14) . Thus, it is observed that the selected literature chronologically advances to a comprehensive conception in two senses, both in regard to previous studies examined by the IR, and to attaining new results from the IR.…”

“…Describe the process of analysis and synthesis (7)(8)11,19,23) 5.3. Describe and develop measurements and operations (12) 5.4. Order, categorize, and summarize the data in a way that integrates the existing conclusions in regard to the theme (7) 5.5.…”

“…The need for methodological rigor when conducing an IR is stated in the publications selected, in two inter-related ways: description and analysis of the stages that should be followed, from initial formulation of the review through publication of the results (8)(9)12,18); and the review method that is included in the stages, but comprises those that directly affect the research methodology adopted: sampling, search strategies, inclusion and exclusion criteria, evaluation of the selected publications, and analysis of the publications included in the review, for production of original results.…”

“…A model with seven stages to direct the IR has also been suggested: (a) introduction, justification and hypothesis; (b) sampling procedures; (c) measurements and operations; (d) general procedures; (e) analysis of data and results; (f) interpretations, limitations and implications; and (g) presentation of the review (12) .…”