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Review Articles: A Critical Review of the Pitfalls and Guidelines to effectively conducting and reporting reviews

Author

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  • Favourate Y Mpofu

    (National University of Science and Technology, Zimbabwe)

Abstract

One of the most fundamental building blocks of any research activity is available knowledge in the subject or area being investigated. Therefore, how to appropriately access, assess, decipher, analyse and synthesise information from this body of knowledge should be an important consideration for researchers. A properly structured, conducted and well reported literature review can build a powerful foundation for strengthening knowledge and advancing theoretical or conceptual framework development. The integration of research outcomes and perspectives from diverse studies can help pinpoint consistencies and inconsistencies, research gaps and address research questions in a cogent manner. Despite reviews being a necessity, how to do them effectively, transparently and constructively remains a complicated task. In light of this observation, literature review as a research methodology dimension is vital, yet researchers often find their review articles being rejected for publication. The study found out that common pitfalls that lead to rejections include: poor article quality, no visible methodology and unclear contribution or lack of value addition. Possibly, researchers are not offering, adequate information on the research strategy, inclusion and exclusion criteria for studies used, the research process and analysis. This study was motivated by this rejection dilemma and sought to contribute to research literature on how to enhance the quality, validity and trustworthiness of review research. Through a critical literature review, the paper discusses the probable contribution of review articles, challenges of conducting them productively and possible amelioration guidelines.

Suggested Citation

  • Favourate Y Mpofu, 2021. "Review Articles: A Critical Review of the Pitfalls and Guidelines to effectively conducting and reporting reviews," Technium Social Sciences Journal, Technium Science, vol. 18(1), pages 550-574, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:tec:journl:v:18:y:2021:i:1:p:550-574
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    File URL: https://techniumscience.com/index.php/socialsciences/article/view/3034/1153
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Snyder, Hannah, 2019. "Literature review as a research methodology: An overview and guidelines," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 104(C), pages 333-339.
    2. Robert W. Palmatier & Mark B. Houston & John Hulland, 2018. "Review articles: purpose, process, and structure," Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, Springer, vol. 46(1), pages 1-5, January.
    3. Bert Van Wee & David Banister, 2016. "How to Write a Literature Review Paper?," Transport Reviews, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 36(2), pages 278-288, March.
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Favourate Y. Mpofu & Tankiso Moloi, 2022. "Direct Digital Services Taxes in Africa and the Canons of Taxation," Laws, MDPI, vol. 11(4), pages 1-20, July.
    2. Mpofu Favourate Y Sebele, 2021. "Informal Sector Taxation and Enforcement in African Countries: How plausible and achievable are the motives behind? A Critical Literature Review," Open Economics, De Gruyter, vol. 4(1), pages 72-97, January.
    3. Favourate Y. Mpofu, 2024. "Industry 4.0 in Finance, Digital Financial Services and Digital Financial Inclusion in Developing Countries: Opportunities, Challenges, and Possible Policy Responses," International Journal of Economics and Financial Issues, Econjournals, vol. 14(2), pages 120-135, March.
    4. Favourate Y. Mpofu, 2022. "Taxing the Digital Economy through Consumption Taxes (VAT) in African Countries: Possibilities, Constraints and Implications," IJFS, MDPI, vol. 10(3), pages 1-21, August.
    5. Favourate Y. Mpofu, 2022. "Industry 4.0 in Financial Services: Mobile Money Taxes, Revenue Mobilisation, Financial Inclusion, and the Realisation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Africa," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-24, July.
    6. Favourate Y. Mpofu, 2022. "Green Taxes in Africa: Opportunities and Challenges for Environmental Protection, Sustainability, and the Attainment of Sustainable Development Goals," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-26, August.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Literature review; Knowledge; Contribution; Narrative review; Scoping review;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • R00 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General - - - General
    • Z0 - Other Special Topics - - General

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