A State of the Art (SOTA) review is a literature review that summarizes and analyzes the latest research and developments within a specific subject area. Its purpose is to provide a comprehensive overview of current knowledge, identify trends, research gaps, and the need for future research.
There are no specific protocols like PRISMA for State of the Art reviews. However, other guidelines can help ensure a thorough and systematic SOTA review. You can draw inspiration from relevant articles, such as those listed in the box "Literature on State of the Art Reviews."
Developed by Annette Vester, Det kongelige bibliotek/Copenhagen University Library, and published with a CC BY-NC-ND license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
|
Type |
Aim |
Search |
Quality Appraisal |
Evidence Synthesis |
When needed? |
|
State of the Art Review |
To provide an up-to-date, comprehensive overview of the most current research in a specific area. |
Exhaustive search focusing on the latest studies and developments. |
Rigorous and selective appraisal to include only the most current and relevant studies. |
Synthesises findings to highlight current trends and advancements. |
Descriptive analysis, trend analysis. |
|
Systematic Review |
To address specific research questions through a structured and pre-defined method. |
Exhaustive search aiming for comprehensive coverage of relevant studies. |
Rigorous and explicit criteria used to assess the quality of included studies. |
Integrates findings from multiple studies using a systematic method. |
Quantitative (meta-analysis) or qualitative synthesis. |
Table inspired by: Lavinia Ferrante Di Ruffano, Mary Chappell and Mary Edwards, YHEC
How to Conduct a State-of-the-Art Literature Review. | DOI: 10.4300/JGME-D-22-00704.1
Understanding State-of-the-Art Literature Review. | DOI: 10.4300/JGME-D-22-00705.1
State-of-the-art literature review methodology: A six-step approach for knowledge synthesis. | DOI: 10.1007/s40037-022-00725-9
Reliability of offshore wind turbine support structures: A state-of-the-art review. | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2022.112250
Educational effectiveness research (EER): a state-of-the-art review. | https://doi.org/10.1080/09243453.2014.885450
The State of the Art (SOTA) in a grant application plays a special role. By describing the SOTA, you create the foundation for your own project. Once you have established this foundation (what we know today), it becomes much easier to explain your own project. You need to explain how you will go beyond the SOTA—no more, no less. Depending on the funding body, there are different requirements for scope, documentation, reporting structure, and which sources should be included in your application (other projects, networks, EU databases, academic literature, industry, etc.).
Space in the application is limited. Be precise with the SOTA you describe. It must relate directly to the project’s objectives.
If you need to write a SOTA section in a grant application, contact your local pre-award team for guidance before reaching out to the KUB Systematic Review service. You can find the University of Copenhagen’s research funding office through the campus administration and select Frederiksberg+, Nørre, or Søndre Campus, depending on your affiliation.