We have been conditioned to think that research is linear; however, the integrative and/or systematic review research process is much, much messier! Rather than a straight, linear line--or even a curvy line--the academic research process can be pictured as a circuitous, meandering line that twists and turns on itself. Thorough research takes preparation and revision.
A comprehensive search is critical to the IR/SR process!
- Incomplete searches result in an inadequate pool of studies for synthesis and may lead to faulty conclusions.
- Multiple literature databases should be searched via thorough search strings.