Learning Resources

An Introduction to Literature Reviews

As we focus our efforts on evidence-based/informed practice, we need to be fluent with the science distilled from the literature and the field. Literature reviews are key tools in this process by which a body of literature is classified using systematic methods that are intended to reduce bias and improve understandability.

This session digs into the basics of literature reviews with MCH Evidence Center staff who engage in different types of reviews as part of their work and research.

Presenters discussed different types of reviews, including scoping, rapid, narrative, meta-analysis, and mixed studies. They summarized the Ten Step Method used by the Community Preventive Services Task Force for their Community Guide. They shared their own experiences conducting literature reviews and explore tricks and tools for automating the process. 

Learning Objectives:

• Knowledge: Understand the different types and sources for literature reviews.
• Skills: Be able to walk through the ten steps of conducting a literature review.
• Efficacy: Incorporate the speakers’ experiences into your ability to conduct literature reviews.

Presenters

• W. Oscar Fleming, DrPH, Assistant Professor, Department of MCH and Public Health Leadership Program and Evidence-Based Decision Making Core Lead, National MCH Workforce Development Center, and member of MCH Evidence Center Expert Panel.
• Lan Le, MPA, Research Director for the Georgetown University Center for Child and Human Development and lead author for the Strengthen the Evidence for MCH Programs evidence reports.
• John Richards, MA, Executive Director, National Center for Education in Maternal and Child Health and Principal Investigator for the MCH Navigator and MCH Evidence Center.
• Keisha Watson, PhD, Program Director for the National Center for Education in Maternal and Child Health and evaluator for the National Maternal and Child Oral Health Resource Center.