Scientific procedures and rationales for systematic literature reviews (SPAR‐4‐SLR)

Abstract Many guiding articles on literature reviews exist, but few have delivered an authoritative protocol that researchers can rely upon with clarity and confidence. To commemorate the inaugural annual special issue on systematic literature reviews in the International Journal of Consumer Studies, the editors have pooled their expertize and experience of authoring, editing, and reviewing literature reviews to develop a rigorous review protocol—that is, the Scientific Procedures and Rationales for Systematic Literature Reviews (SPAR‐4‐SLR) protocol—that researchers can rely upon to guide and justify decisions in systematic literature reviews. Using an interrogative approach, the editors begin with a discussion of the “what,” “why,” “when,” “where,” “who,” and “how” of systematic literature reviews. The editors conclude with systematic literature review exemplars in the inaugural special issue.