Author Guidelines for Narrative Review Articles
Narrative reviews offer a scholarly yet interpretative synthesis of a topic, ideal for distilling complex knowledge into accessible insights. Authors are encouraged to follow these guidelines to ensure clarity, rigor, and relevance.
1. Scope and Purpose
Narrative review articles are designed to offer a comprehensive yet succinct exploration of a specific topic, serving as a valuable resource for readers seeking both depth and clarity. Unlike systematic reviews that follow rigid methodological frameworks, narrative reviews adopt a more flexible and interpretative approach, allowing authors to weave together diverse strands of information through synthesis and critical analysis. This format encourages the integration of theoretical insights, empirical findings, and expert perspectives into a cohesive narrative that highlights key developments, emerging trends, and unresolved questions within the field. The primary aim is not merely to summarize existing literature, but to provide a thoughtful and accessible overview that fosters understanding and sparks further inquiry. As such, these reviews are particularly well-suited for a broad audience that includes seasoned professionals looking to stay informed about current discourse, as well as students and early-career researchers seeking foundational knowledge and practical relevance. By bridging the gap between complex research and its real-world implications, narrative reviews play a crucial role in advancing scholarly dialogue and educational engagement.
2. Author Expertise
Narrative review articles should be authored by individuals who possess demonstrable expertise in the subject matter, ensuring that the content reflects both depth and authority. These contributors are expected to bring a well-informed, critical lens to the topic, drawing upon their extensive experience, scholarly engagement, and familiarity with the relevant literature. Their role extends beyond summarizing existing knowledge—they must interpret and contextualize findings, identify patterns and gaps, and offer nuanced perspectives that reflect a sophisticated understanding of the field. This level of expertise enables authors to craft integrative narratives that resonate with both academic rigor and practical insight, ultimately enriching the reader’s comprehension and inspiring further exploration.
3. Content Structure
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Although narrative reviews offer considerable flexibility in format and tone, they should nonetheless adhere to a coherent and integrative structure that facilitates clarity, scholarly rigor, and reader engagement. A well-constructed review typically begins with a title that is clear, informative, and accurately reflects the scope and focus of the topic. This is followed by an abstract of 150–250 words, succinctly summarizing the subject matter, central themes, and key conclusions to provide readers with a quick yet comprehensive overview. Keywords—usually four to six—should be selected carefully to enhance discoverability and indexing across academic databases. The introduction sets the stage by defining the topic, establishing its relevance, and articulating the rationale for undertaking the review. The main body may be organized thematically or chronologically, and should encompass critical elements such as theoretical frameworks, prevailing methodological trends, significant findings, practical applications, and identified research gaps. This section serves as the analytical core of the review, weaving together diverse strands of literature into a unified narrative. The discussion should then offer an integrative analysis that interprets the findings, explores their broader implications, and suggests directions for future inquiry. A concise yet impactful conclusion reinforces the main insights and provides final reflections. Lastly, the references must be comprehensive and up-to-date, formatted consistently in a recognized citation style such as Vancouver, ensuring academic credibility and ease of verification.
4. Source Integration
In constructing a high-quality narrative review, authors should aim for a balanced and discerning use of sources, drawing upon peer-reviewed literature, expert commentary, and seminal works that have shaped the field. Rather than compiling an exhaustive list of studies, the emphasis should be on synthesizing and interpreting key contributions to build a coherent and insightful narrative. This approach not only enhances readability but also demonstrates critical engagement with the literature. It is essential to clearly differentiate between evidence-based claims—grounded in empirical findings or established theory—and the author’s own interpretations or opinions, which should be explicitly signposted. Such transparency strengthens the review’s credibility and allows readers to evaluate the arguments on their own merit. By integrating diverse perspectives while maintaining analytical clarity, the review becomes a meaningful contribution to scholarly discourse.
5. Writing Style
To ensure clarity and scholarly depth in narrative reviews, authors should adopt an analytical and integrative tone that goes beyond mere description, weaving together diverse insights into a cohesive argument. Readability must be prioritized through the use of clear transitions, well-structured subheadings, and a logical progression of ideas that guides the reader seamlessly from one section to the next. Language should remain accessible; jargon should be avoided unless absolutely necessary, and any specialized terminology introduced must be clearly defined to support comprehension across a broad academic audience. This approach fosters both intellectual rigor and inclusivity, making the review engaging and informative for readers at varying levels of expertise.
6. Formatting and Submission
Narrative reviews should typically range between 3,000 and 6,000 words, excluding the reference list, allowing sufficient space for depth without compromising focus. Manuscripts must be submitted in Word format (.doc or .docx) to ensure compatibility with editorial workflows. While figures and tables are optional, their inclusion is strongly encouraged when they enhance clarity, illustrate complex concepts, or support comparative analysis. All submissions must be entirely original and appropriately cited to uphold academic integrity and avoid plagiarism. Authors may also include supplementary materials such as checklists, conceptual frameworks, or annotated bibliographies to enrich the review and provide readers with practical tools or extended insights.
7. Review and Revision
All submitted narrative reviews are subject to a rigorous editorial and peer review process to ensure scholarly quality, relevance, and alignment with the journal’s scope. Authors may be invited to revise their manuscripts based on reviewer and editor feedback, which often focuses on enhancing clarity, analytical depth, and structural coherence. This feedback is intended to be constructive and supportive, fostering iterative improvement and helping authors refine their work to meet academic standards while preserving the integrity of their voice and perspective.
8. Ethical Considerations
Authors are expected to uphold the highest standards of transparency and academic integrity when preparing narrative reviews. Any conflicts of interest—financial, professional, or personal—must be clearly disclosed to ensure trust and accountability. Reviews should reflect a respectful and inclusive representation of diverse perspectives, disciplines, and sources, acknowledging the richness and complexity of the scholarly landscape. Promotional content and unsupported claims must be strictly avoided; all assertions should be grounded in credible evidence and presented with intellectual honesty. This ethical foundation not only reinforces the credibility of the review but also fosters a respectful and constructive academic dialogue.