Descriptive review is an important method for discipline（ including Chinese medicine） theoretical construction and development. Its major features include discussing problems in a higher level

covering a wider scope

with four possible conclusions

being suitable for "post derivation theory"

with diversity of methodology

and negative results having important value. There are six types of descriptive review

including new ideas or new theory

evaluating current theories

raising new research fields or new topics

pointing out the existing problems

summarizing the forming and developing process of some view or theory

as well as summarizing the development trend in some research field. The authors consider that

the first four types should be the main types of Chinese medicine review.The existing problems in descriptive review are no enough reference

insufficiency of evidence description

lack of integration and innovation

ignorance limitation in research results or methods

and selective reviewing with bias.Thus

the preconditions of ensuring review quality are that identifying the quality

quantity and evidence processing method before reviewing

integrating and innovating the research content

paying attention to the defects of included literature

as well as maintaining objective evaluating attitude.