Journals for Review Papers
Selecting venues for systematic reviews, narrative reviews, and scoping reviews
Review papers — systematic, narrative, scoping, and meta-analytic — have their own publishing conventions. The right journal for a review depends on review type, field, and whether the journal explicitly supports the review format.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a systematic review better than a narrative review?
Different formats serve different purposes. Systematic reviews answer well-defined questions with comprehensive evidence; narrative reviews advance arguments about fields. Both are valuable when used appropriately.
How long does a systematic review take?
Typically 6–12 months from protocol to submission. The search, screening, data extraction, and analysis phases each consume real time. Faster systematic reviews are sometimes possible for narrow questions but are uncommon.
Do I need to pre-register?
For systematic reviews and meta-analyses in biomedical fields, yes — PROSPERO is the standard registry. For other fields, pre-registration is increasingly expected but not always required.
Can I include preprints in a review?
Most journals now allow it, particularly for recent work. Disclose preprint status (peer-reviewed vs not) in the inclusion list. Some journals exclude non-peer-reviewed sources.
How is a review evaluated differently from a research article?
Reviews are evaluated on synthesis quality, methodological rigour (for systematic), and contribution to the field's understanding. Research articles are evaluated on novelty, methodology, and findings. The criteria overlap but emphasise different aspects.