Li SC. Mastering the craft: Creating an insightful and widely-cited literature review. World J Stem Cells 2023; 15(8): 781-786 [PMID: 37700820 DOI: 10.4252/wjsc.v15.i8.781]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Shengwen Calvin Li, MPhil, PhD, Academic Editor, Academic Research, Adjunct Professor, Professor, Research Scientist, Senior Editor, Senior Scientist, Vice Editor-in-Chief, Neuro-oncology and Stem Cell Research Laboratory, Children’s Hospital of Orange County, Department of Neurology, University of California-Irvine School of Medicine, 455 South Main Street, Orange, CA 92868-3874, United States. shengwel@uci.edu
Research Domain of This Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Article-Type of This Article
Editorial
Open-Access Policy of This Article
This article is an open-access article which was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
World J Stem Cells. Aug 26, 2023; 15(8): 781-786 Published online Aug 26, 2023. doi: 10.4252/wjsc.v15.i8.781
Mastering the craft: Creating an insightful and widely-cited literature review
Shengwen Calvin Li
Shengwen Calvin Li, Neuro-oncology and Stem Cell Research Laboratory, Children’s Hospital of Orange County, Department of Neurology, University of California-Irvine School of Medicine, Orange, CA 92868-3874, United States
Author contributions: Li SC analyzed the data, wrote the manuscript, and approved the final manuscript.
Conflict-of-interest statement: Li SC declared no conflict-of-interest.
Open-Access: This article is an open-access article that was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: https://creativecommons.org/Licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: Shengwen Calvin Li, MPhil, PhD, Academic Editor, Academic Research, Adjunct Professor, Professor, Research Scientist, Senior Editor, Senior Scientist, Vice Editor-in-Chief, Neuro-oncology and Stem Cell Research Laboratory, Children’s Hospital of Orange County, Department of Neurology, University of California-Irvine School of Medicine, 455 South Main Street, Orange, CA 92868-3874, United States. shengwel@uci.edu
Received: August 8, 2023 Peer-review started: August 9, 2023 First decision: August 14, 2023 Revised: August 22, 2023 Accepted: August 23, 2023 Article in press: August 23, 2023 Published online: August 26, 2023
Abstract
The art of constructing an insightful literature review manuscript has witnessed an exemplar in the work of Oz et al (2023), wherein concept progression harmoniously merges with figures and tables. Reflecting on retrospective data science, it is evident that well-cited articles can wield a transformative influence on the Journal Citation Reports Impact Factor score, as exemplified by Robert Weinberg’s landmark on cancer (Hanahan and Weinberg, 2011). Here, we aim to spotlight a commendable contribution by Tuba Oz, Ajeet Kaushik, and Małgorzata Kujawska in this issue while pivoting towards identifying the hallmarks of a subpar literature review-elements that hinder rather than promote advancement. The hurdles and roadblocks encountered within subpar literature reviews are multifold. Anticipation of emerging trends, identification of challenges, and exploration of solutions remain conspicuously absent. Original Contributions fail to surface amidst the vast sea of pre-existing literature, with noticeable gaps amplified by the lack of illustrative figures and tables. The manuscript, at times, assumes a skeletal form, reflecting an attempt to accommodate an excess of references, leading to convoluted sentences laden with citations. In contrast, a potent solution lies in adopting a comprehensive approach. A nuanced and critical evaluation of sources can culminate in a robust discussion, surpassing the mere summarization of conclusions drawn by others. This approach, often dismissed, holds the potential to elevate clarity, coherence, and logical flow, ultimately inviting engaged readership and coveted citations. The critical necessity of integrating visionary insights is underscored and achieved through a rigorous analysis of pivotal concepts and innovative ideas. Examples can be harnessed to elucidate the application of these solutions. We advocate a paradigm shift, urging literature review writers to embrace the readers’ perspective. A literature review’s purpose extends beyond providing a comprehensive panorama; it should illuminate avenues for concept development within a specific field of interest. By achieving this balance, literature reviews stand to captivate a devoted readership, paving the way for manuscripts that are both widely read and frequently cited. The pathway forward requires a fusion of astute analysis and visionary insights, shaping the future of literature review composition.
Core Tip: This manuscript highlights a remarkable literature review, demonstrating a seamless fusion of concept progression with figures and tables. Reflecting on data science, it reveals how influential articles can impact the Journal Citation Report Impact Factor. We focus on identifying elements hindering effective literature reviews. Key challenges include absent trend anticipation, gaps in original contributions, and skeletal content. To address this, we propose a comprehensive approach involving critical evaluation, fostering clarity, coherence, and reader engagement. Integration of visionary insights and examples further enhances the impact, emphasizing the importance of concept development and paving the way for influential literature reviews.
