Guide

Health research literature reviews stay brief in journal articles (a few short paragraphs) but form a large, in-depth chapter in most theses.

In medical dissertations, the literature review is typically 15–30% of the thesis, or about 8,000–24,000 words depending on degree rules and scope.

Medical journals usually obtain two independent peer reviews, with some seeking three and rare cases proceeding on a single expert report.

There’s no fixed minimum for a systematic review; meta-analysis needs two or more studies, while tools like funnel plots usually need about ten.

In health research, literature reviews run from brief grant sections to 2,000–5,000+ words in journals, so match the outlet’s rules and scope.

No fixed count for a systematic review; include every eligible study you find, with at least two needed for any meta-analysis.

There’s no set minimum for a systematic review; syntheses may include zero or many studies, while meta-analysis usually needs at least two.

A systematic review has no fixed minimum; you can include zero to many studies, while a meta-analysis needs two or more comparable studies.

There’s no fixed minimum for a systematic review; include every eligible study, and meta-analysis needs at least two studies.

A health sciences dissertation typically has a literature review of 6,000–12,000 words, often one chapter; paper-based formats may spread it across papers.