Which review method focuses on synthesizing literature in a specific area without employing statistical analysis?

The integrative review is a research method that synthesizes diverse literature regarding a specific topic without the use of statistical analysis. It allows for the incorporation of theoretical and empirical studies, providing a comprehensive overview of a phenomenon. This methodology is particularly beneficial when exploring complex health issues, where understanding various perspectives can contribute valuable insights.

Unlike meta-analysis, which specifically involves statistical techniques to aggregate quantitative data, an integrative review evaluates and combines findings from various types of studies, including empirical and theoretical literature, providing a broader understanding of the topic at hand. This makes it particularly useful in nursing research, where a multifaceted approach to a topic can reveal insights that a more narrowly focused meta-analysis might miss. The integrative review process involves a systematic approach but does not depend on quantifiable data, making it distinct from other methods like quantitative review, which seeks to present findings based on numerical data analysis.