The Review Article: Its Characteristics and Problems

The characteristics and problems associated with the review literature in the sciences were examined. Three major classes of review articles were identified: (1) the annual review which aims to provide a systematic record of the contributions made within the previous year, (2) the critical review which selectively evaluates contributions to the solution of a common research problem, and (3) data compilations which are concerned with facts and findings rather than the opinions of the authors of papers from which the data are taken. The role and control of the review article in medicine was described. Over the past fifteen years, the ratio of review to nonreview articles in medicine has been on the order of 1: 38. Possible solutions to a number of problems associated with the review literature are discussed, such as the selection of articles for review. Further examination of some critical questions relating to the production and organization of reviews will have to be undertaken before the review, as a means of bringing the most significant information to its users, will be accepted as a reliable adjunct to the original publications.