Standing on the Shoulders of Giants:Application and Prospect of Literature Review Method
Different literature review methods have different values and functions for the development of academic research.However few articles summarize literature review methods comprehensively and systematically.Taking 318 review articles in the field of entrepreneurship as examples,this paper systematically sorts and analyzes six mainstream literature review methods.This paper finds that:While narrative reviews and systematic literature reviews are relatively mature,meta-analysis and bibliometrics are rapidly advancing,whereas qualitative research synthesis and historical bibliometrics remain at early stages without adequate scholarly attention.Narrative reviews can play a greater role in the initial stage of a research topic,qualitative research synthesis and historical biblio-metrics are more valuable as the topic develops over time,while systematic literature reviews,meta-analysis and bibliometrics can play a more important role in the mature stage of the research topic.Different literature review methods are compatible and complementary,so qualitative and quantitative review methods can be combined.Researchers should choose appropriate literature review methods in accordance with development needs of research topics and purposes of literature reviews,to give full play to the maximum value of literature reviews and promote the development and innovation of discipline theories.At last,this paper introduces other developing directions of literature review methods and puts forward corresponding prospects and suggestions.
literature review methodthe field of entrepreneurshipapplication and prospectacademic contribution
万方数据
维普
