Guidelines for integrative reviews in psychology

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31211/rpics.2025.11.1.366

Keywords:

Integrative review, Review methods, Evidence synthesis, Evidence-based psychology, Methodological checklist

Abstract

Background: Integrative Review is a systematic literature review method that enables comprehensive analysis and synthesis of theoretical and empirical research using different methodologies. The literature highlights the need to establish minimum guidelines during its construction due to a lack of consensus among researchers in implementing the method. Objective: The aim is to present a precise systematization of all necessary and sufficient steps to conduct an Integrative Review. Method: To this end, an analysis of the items reported as necessary for constructing systematic reviews in the PRISMA protocol was carried out, as well as their adequacy to the Integrative Review method and steps presented in psychology studies. Results: It was concluded that two items were adequate, 16 items were partially adequate with modifications, nine items were not satisfactory, and one item was developed and added. At the end, a checklist with 15 items was constructed and presented with examples of the expected reports for each item developed. Conclusion: It was concluded that the Integrative Review method has its characteristics. This study will likely help reduce the disparity found in the field involving Integrative Reviews in Psychology and help promote the replication and extension of research.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Anderson, L. M., Oliver, S. R., Michie, S., Rehfuess, E., Noyes, J., & Shemilt, I. (2013). Investigating complexity in systematic reviews of interventions by using a spectrum of methods. Journal of Clinical Epidemiology, 66(11), 1223–1229. https://doi.org/ggb9b8

American Psychological Association. (2006). Evidence-based practice in psychology: APA presidential task force on evidence-based practice. American Psychologist, 61(4), 271–285. https://bit.ly/4jvdC1U

Barlow, D. H., Boswell, J. F., & Thompson-Hollands, J. (2013). Eysenck, Strupp, and 50 years of psychotherapy research: A personal perspective. Psychotherapy, 50(1), 77–87. https://doi.org/njfz

Broome, M. E. (2000). Integrative literature reviews for the development of concepts. In Concept development in nursing: foundations, techniques and applications (pp. 231–250). WB Saunders Company.

Eysenck, H. J. (1952). The effects of psychotherapy: An evaluation. Journal of Consulting Psychology, 16(5), 319–324. https://doi.org/d45hnn

Ferreira, T. A. D. S., Simões, A. S., Santos, F. M., Matos, J. P., & Moura, M. C. (2020). Methods of conceptual research in clinical behavior analysis. The Psychological Record, 1–8. https://doi.org/njf3

Garcia, B. N. (2018). A estrutura conceitual e epistemológica do comportamento antissocial: Uma revisão integrativa [Dissertação de mestrado, Universidade Federal do Ceará]. Repositório Institutional. https://bit.ly/3ECnV62

Grant, M. J., & Booth, A. (2009). A typology of reviews: An analysis of 14 review types and associated methodologies. Health information and libraries journal, 26(2), 91–108. https://doi.org/ftbpbr

Laurenti, C., Lopes, C. E., & Freitas, S. A. (2016). Pesquisa teórica em psicologia: Aspectos filosóficos e metodológicos. Hogrefe CETEPP

Lemos, L. H. A. & Ferreira, T. A. S. (2023). Revisões integrativas em psicologia: Modelos, definições e características. Mudanças - Psicologia da Saúde, 31, 77–86. https://bit.ly/3Z838ON

Leonardi, J. L. (2016). Práticas baseadas em evidências em psicologia e a eficácia da análise do comportamento clínica [Tese de Doutoramento, Instituto de Psicologia, Universidade de São Paulo]. Repositório da Produção USP. https://bit.ly/42XPmQX

Liberati, A., Altman, D. G., Tetzlaff, J., Mulrow, C., Gøtzsche, P. C., Ioannidis, J. P., Clarke, M., Devereaux, P. J., Kleijnen, J., & Moher, D. (2009). The PRISMA statement for reporting systematic reviews and meta-analyses of studies that evaluate healthcare interventions: explanation and elaboration. The BMJ, 339, b2700. https://doi.org/dh2cj4

Matos, J. P. A., & da Silva Ferreira, T. A. (2016). A cultura do diagnóstico e a emergência de subjetividades psicopatológicas. Acta Comportamentalia: Revista Latina de Análisis de Comportamiento, 24(4), 509–523. https://doi.org/pjcm

Mendes, K. D. S., Silveira, R. C. D. C. P., & Galvão, C. M. (2008). Revisão integrativa: Método de pesquisa para a incorporação de evidências na saúde e na enfermagem. Texto & Contexto Enfermagem, 17(4), 758–764. https://doi.org/b8m83p

Moher, D., Liberati, A., Tetzlaff, J., Altman, D. G., & PRISMA Group. (2009). Preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses: the PRISMA statement. Annals of Internal Medicine, 151(4), 264–269. https://doi.org/bq3jpc

Pompeo, D. A., Rossi, L. A., & Galvão, C. M. (2009). Revisão integrativa: Etapa inicial do processo de validação de diagnóstico de enfermagem. Acta Paulista de Enfermagem, 22(4), 434–438. https://doi.org/bp76kk

Santos, G. A. R. D. (2018). Terapia analítico-comportamental: sistematização da definição com base em introduções de textos empíricos [Dissertação de mestrado, Universidade de São Paulo]. Repositório da Produção USP. https://bit.ly/4jF3d4e

Souza, M. T. D., Silva, M. D. D., & Carvalho, R. D. (2010). Revisão integrativa: O que é e como fazer. Einstein (São Paulo), 8(1), 102–106. https://doi.org/ggmw5m

Toronto, C. E., & Remington, R. (Eds.). (2020). A step-by-step guide to conducting an integrative review. Springer Nature. https://doi.org/g438zv

Tricco, A. C., Antony, J., Soobiah, C., Kastner, M., MacDonald, H., Cogo, E., Lillie, E., Tran, J., & Straus, S. E. (2016). Knowledge synthesis methods for integrating qualitative and quantitative data: A scoping review reveals poor operationalization of the methodological steps. Journal of Clinical Epidemiology, 73, 29–35. https://doi.org/gn2v7f

Whittemore, R., & Knafl, K. (2005). The integrative review: Updated methodology. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 52(5), 546–553. https://doi.org/dhbpb8

Published

2025-05-31

How to Cite

Andrade de Lemos, L. H., Colombo dos Santos, B., Batista Neto, N. J., & da Silva Ferreira, T. A. (2025). Guidelines for integrative reviews in psychology. Portuguese Journal of Behavioral and Social Research, 11(1), 1–16. https://doi.org/10.31211/rpics.2025.11.1.366

Issue

Section

Review Paper