Reviews are an essential part of scientific communication, serving as a synthesis of fragmented knowledge across various journals and fields. They help policymakers and researchers understand emerging areas of study, identify unanswered questions, and provide high-quality references for further reading. In Scopus and Web of Science, reviews are classified into different types based on their structure and content. The authors emphasize the importance of accurately assigning document type in databases to ensure accurate search results. They also highlight the differences in the definition and coverage of reviews between WoS and Scopus, with WoS using more specific categories such as "Advanced" and "Software" reviews. By understanding these distinctions, researchers can optimize their searches and retrieve relevant information more efficiently.
Key points
- Reviews play a crucial role in scientific communication by synthesizing fragmented knowledge across various journals and fields.
- They help policymakers and researchers identify emerging areas of study, unanswered questions, and provide high-quality references for further reading.
- In Scopus and Web of Science, reviews are classified into different types based on their structure and content.
- Accurately assigning document type in databases can improve search accuracy and retrieve relevant information more efficiently.
- WoS uses more specific categories such as "Advanced" and "Software" reviews, which are not found in Scopus.
