What does a narrative review provide regarding the selected articles?

A narrative review is primarily designed to give a comprehensive overview of the literature on a specific topic. It synthesizes and describes the essential findings and themes derived from the selected articles, often integrating the author's expert perspective. This approach not only summarizes what has been found in the literature but also discusses interpretations and implications, providing valuable context and insights into how the findings relate to each other and to the broader field.

In contrast, a blank summary of findings would lack detail and context, simply listing outcomes without interpretation. Statistical analysis typically pertains to systematic reviews or meta-analyses, where data from multiple studies are quantitatively gathered and synthesized, allowing for trend analysis or effect size calculations. Lastly, a mere list of references would not offer any commentary or insight into the studies; it would simply enumerate the sources without providing critical appraisal or representation of their findings. Therefore, the correct answer reflects the narrative review's role in providing a deeper understanding of the literature through expert commentary and description.