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Review articles
Review articles synthesize published information.
There are several types of review articles.
The most relevant for ICB are
narrative reviews (traditional format; synthesis of the literature)
and two types of meta analysis
scoping reviews (aim to map the key concepts, types of evidence, and research gaps on a particular topic)
systematic reviews (answer specific, focused research questions by identifying, appraising, and synthesizing all relevant empirical evidence)
For a guide on the different types of reviews and to guidelines about scoping versus systematic reviews, see the resources below.
What is the right type of review for my project?
What is the right type of review for my project?
Articles explaining types of review papers, plus guidelines
Munn, Zachary, Micah DJ Peters, Cindy Stern, Catalin Tufanaru, Alexa McArthur, and Edoardo Aromataris. "Systematic review or scoping review? Guidance for authors when choosing between a systematic or scoping review approach." BMC medical research methodology 18, no. 1 (2018): 143.
Ghosh, Abhishek, and Shinjini Choudhury. "Understanding different types of review articles: A primer for early career researchers." Indian journal of psychiatry 67, no. 5 (2025): 535-541.
Examples for scoping reviews
Lewis, Philip, Rania Christoforou, Peiman Pilehchi Ha, Ursula Wild, Marcel Schweiker, and Thomas C. Erren. "Architecture, light, and circadian biology: A scoping review." Science of The Total Environment 955 (2024): 177212.
Smith, Carter S., Morgan E. Rudd, Rachel K. Gittman, Emily C. Melvin, Virginia S. Patterson, Julianna J. Renzi, Emory H. Wellman, and Brian R. Silliman. "Coming to terms with living shorelines: A scoping review of novel restoration strategies for shoreline protection." Frontiers in Marine Science 7 (2020): 434.
Remmers, Rutger, and Niki Frantzeskaki. "Bees in the city: Findings from a scoping review and recommendations for urban planning." Ambio 53, no. 9 (2024): 1281-1295.
Example for a systematic review
Driscoll, Don A., Sam C. Banks, Philip S. Barton, Karen Ikin, Pia Lentini, David B. Lindenmayer, Annabel L. Smith et al. "The trajectory of dispersal research in conservation biology. Systematic review." PloS one 9, no. 4 (2014): e95053.
Characteristics of a strong narrative Review article
Characteristics of a strong narrative Review article
Integrative
connects multiple organizational levels
integrates across sub-disciplines
Forward looking
identifies existing challenges
Strong conceptual foundation
lays bare the underlying framework
makes complex issues transparent
finds new connections among established ideas
provides clear definitions
bundles diverse topics into a few clear themes
introduces a new perspective
Effective introduction to topic
good historical overview
can be understood by newcomers to the field
providing examples from a range of study systems helps many readers connect with their prior knowledge
effective use of analogies
Clear communication
uses well-chosen examples from multiple sub-disciplines
well written
demonstrates ideas using concrete examples and/or actual data
contains strong visuals, such as visual abstracts and concept maps (Making Figures)
Example of narrative Review articles
Example of narrative Review articles
from our journal
from our journal
Bhullar, B. A. S., Hanson, M., Fabbri, M., Pritchard, A., Bever, G. S., & Hoffman, E. (2016). How to make a bird skull: major transitions in the evolution of the avian cranium, paedomorphosis, and the beak as a surrogate hand. Integrative and Comparative Biology, 56(3), 389-403. https://doi.org/10.1093/icb/icw069
French, S. S., Webb, A. C., Hudson, S. B., & Virgin, E. E. (2018). Town and country reptiles: a review of reptilian responses to urbanization. Integrative and Comparative Biology, 58(5), 948-966. https://doi.org/10.1093/icb/icy052
Rico-Guevara, A., Hurme, K. J., Elting, R., & Russell, A. L. (2021). Bene “fit” assessment in pollination coevolution: mechanistic perspectives on hummingbird bill–flower matching. Integrative and Comparative Biology, 61(2), 681-695. https://doi.org/10.1093/icb/icab111
Vaughn, D., & Allen, J. D. (2010). The peril of the plankton. Integrative and Comparative Biology, 50(4), 552-570. https://doi.org/10.1093/icb/icq037
Some writing tips
Some writing tips
Structure
Narrative reviews are best served by structuring them around their main arguments instead of attempting to follow the IMRaD model used for articles reporting original research or meta analyses.
In contrast, scoping and systematic reviews follow the IMRaD model.
Rationale
The first question that thee editor will ask is "Do we need a review paper on this topic and why?" So make sure that you address this question early in your text to provide a strong rationale for your review.
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