There are many types of literature reviews, but all should follow a similar search process. Below are a few types of literature reviews, as well as definitions and examples. Much of this information can be found in the article A Typology of Reviews: An Analysis of 14 Review Types and Associated Methodologies.
Additional information about types of reviews, including an updated list of 48 types of reviews can be found in the article Meeting the Review Family: Exploring Review Types and Associated Information Retrieval Techniques
Literature Review: This is a generic term that can cover a wide range of subjects, and varies in completeness and comprehensiveness. They are typically narrative, and analysis may be chronological, conceptual, thematic, or however the author decides to organize the material. Job satisfaction among hospital nurses: An updated literature review
Scoping Review: A preliminary assessment of the size and scope of available published literature. A scoping review is intended to identify current research and the extent of such research, and determine if a more comprehensive review is viable. Can include research in progress, and the completeness of searching is determined by time/scope. The role of liquid biopsy in neuroblastoma: A scoping review
Mapping Review: Looks at existing literature and maps out future directions and current gaps in the research literature. Developed due to a need to describe the literature in a broad field of interest without synthesizing the details of the evidence or without answering one specific research question, as a systematic review does. Search may be determined by time/scope. How much do we know about nursing care delivery models in a hospital setting? A mapping review
Rapid Review: Assessment of what is already known about a policy or practice issue. Uses systematic review methods to search and critically evaluate existing research, but search is limited by time constraints. Is microdosing a placebo? A rapid review of low-dose LSD and psilocybin research
State-of-the-art review: Addresses current matters as opposed to other types of reviews that address retrospective and current approaches. Comprehensive searching of the literature, and looks for current state of knowledge and sets priorities for future investigation and research. Myocardial Bridging: Diagnosis, Functional Assessment, and Management: JACC State-of-the-Art Review
Integrative Review: Combines empirical and theoretical research to examine research on a given area. Includes non-experimental research, and can include case studies, observational studies, theories, guidelines, etc., and is generally used to inform healthcare policy and practice. Improving patient safety through identifying barriers to reporting medication administration errors among nurses: an integrative review
Systematic Review: Seeks to systematically search, appraise, and synthesize research evidence. Requires exhaustive, comprehensive searching, including searching of grey literature. The comparative effectiveness of migraine preventive drugs: a systematic review and network meta-analysis
Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis: Includes all of systematic review, but requires quantitative analysis for the meta-analysis piece. The comparative effectiveness of migraine preventive drugs: a systematic review and network meta-analysis
Umbrella Review: Specifically refers to searching for reviews only-usually systematic reviews only. Should discuss what is known, unknown, and recommendations for future research. Diet, food, and nutritional exposures and inflammatory bowel disease or progression of disease: An umbrella review
These are some examples of other types of literature reviews. Many of these may combine different types of literature reviews-for example, an integrative literature review, or a mixed methods review. Many reviews often have work done before taking on the review-protocols and exploratory reviews are included as examples of that here.
A structured literature review on the research and design of rehabilitation environments
Delirium in the ICU: how much do we know? A narrative review
Exploding head syndrome: a systematic scoping review
Mapping epilepsy biomarkers: a bibliometric and content analysis
Evaluating data sharing statements in leading emergency medicine journals: A mixed methods review