How to Structure a Narrative Review Article

A narrative review needs a clear structure so readers can follow your reasoning: a focused introduction, a brief methods section, thematic body sections, a critical discussion, and a concluding implications and gaps section. Follow the target journal's instructions where they differ.

Typical structure

1. Title: identify the topic and that it is a narrative review.
2. Abstract: aim, sources searched, main themes, conclusion (structured if the journal requires).
3. Introduction: why the topic matters and the specific aim.
4. Methods (brief): databases, dates, key terms, selection approach, and a statement that the search was not exhaustive.
5. Body (thematic sections): each section has a clear heading, a synthesis of the evidence, comparison across studies and appraisal.
6. Discussion: integrate themes, discuss implications for practice, teaching or policy.
7. Gaps and future research.
8. Limitations of the review.
9. Conclusion.
10. References and declarations.

Structuring the body

Group by concept, mechanism, population or time, not by study. Within each theme, move from the best evidence to weaker evidence and say how confident readers can be. Use tables for study characteristics and figures for concepts.

Illustrative example

Invented for teaching. Themes for a review on "Exercise and depression in adolescents": 1) effects of aerobic exercise, 2) resistance training, 3) mechanisms, 4) barriers to participation. Each theme ends with a one-sentence evidence statement.

Using headings and signposting

Short, informative headings help readers scan and make the argument visible. Begin each section with a sentence that states its point, and end it with a sentence that links to the next. Add a figure summarising the concept or a table of key studies if it saves words. Finally, read the target journal's article-type description, since word limits and section names for narrative reviews vary widely.

Common pitfalls

• Starting each paragraph with an author's name.
• No link between sections.
• Conclusions that go beyond the evidence reviewed.

Key takeaways

• Organise by theme, with a brief, honest methods section.
• Close with implications, gaps and limitations.

This page is general educational information about research methods. It is not medical, legal or regulatory advice; follow your institution's ethics board and your target journal's instructions.