What are the differences between a systematic review and a thematic literature review?
A systematic review is a type of literature review that uses rigorous and structured methods to identify, evaluate, and synthesize all relevant evidence on a specific research question or topic. It typically follows a transparent and reproducible protocol to minimize bias, and aims to provide a comprehensive summary of the existing evidence.
A thematic literature review, on the other hand, is a type of literature review that focuses on identifying patterns or themes in a specific body of literature. It is less structured and systematic than a systematic review, and may not use explicit methods to minimize bias. Instead, it seeks to identify key themes, concepts, and ideas in a more subjective and interpretive manner. The focus of a thematic literature review is often more on understanding the existing knowledge on a topic rather than on providing a comprehensive summary of it.