A. PLANNING THE REVIEW
The review is structured by formulating research questions pertinent to our research objective. This review aims to analyse the effects of inflation, unemployment, corruption, and infrastructure development on the economy of Bangladesh.
Additionally, we established the search strategy, search strings, and criteria for inclusion and exclusion.
RESEARCH QUESTIONS
RQ1: How does inflation impact the economic stability of Bangladesh?
The aim is to understand how inflation affects overall economic stability and growth in Bangladesh.
RQ2: What role does unemployment play in Bangladesh's economic struggles?
The aim is to explore how unemployment contributes to Bangladesh's economic challenges and hinders development.
RQ3: What is the impact of corruption on Bangladesh's economic growth?
The aim is to examine how corruption influences economic growth and hinders Bangladesh's progress.
RQ4: How does the infrastructure development of Bangladesh affect its economy?
The aim is to assess how improvements or shortcomings in infrastructure influence economic performance in Bangladesh.
SEARCH STRATEGY
The formal search strategy was initiated to identify articles pertinent to our research objectives and questions. We conducted a search of multiple electronic databases to identify pertinent literature aligned with our research questions. We conducted a search of 26 electronic databases and reviewed 98 articles. The second step of the screening yielded 21 articles from a total of 98, sourced from 14 electronic databases out of 26.
INCLUSION AND EXCLUSION CRITERIA
This systematic review utilized rigorous inclusion and exclusion criteria to select pertinent articles from electronic databases. The criteria were designed to facilitate the selection of high-quality, peer-reviewed research that addresses critical economic issues in Bangladesh, such as inflation, unemployment, corruption, and infrastructure development.
Inclusion criteria
Focus: Studies must look at economic problems that are important to Bangladesh, such as inflation, unemployment, corruption, and infrastructure development.
Time Frame: Articles published in the last four years (2020–2024) were included to ensure that the information was up-to-date and useful.
Language: To keep things consistent, only English-language stories were included.
Peer-Reviewed Journals: Items from journals or repositories that are reviewed by other academics to ensure that they are accurate.
Accessibility: We only looked at studies that had full texts that were available online.
Exclusion criteria
Geographic Scope: Articles that focused on places other than Bangladesh or did not compare or contrast with Bangladesh were not included.
Relevance: Studies that did not look at economic problems or did not have enough data were excluded.
Type of Publication: Newspaper stories, opinion pieces, and editorials that are not academic were excluded.
Duplications: After review, duplicate studies or publications that reported the same results were excluded.
Selection process: There were two rounds of selection for this review to ensure that all the studies from all the sources were carefully reviewed:
Round 1: First sorting by titles and descriptions to see which ones are relevant.
Round 2: Read the entire paper to check the quality of the study methods and their depth.
Selection Overview from Databases:
Table 1: Selection Overview
Electronic Database
|
Retrieved
|
Round 1
|
Round 2
|
Selected for Review
|
Included
|
Excluded
|
Included
|
Excluded
|
ScienceDirect
|
2
|
2
|
0
|
2
|
0
|
2
|
EconLit
|
2
|
2
|
0
|
2
|
1
|
1
|
Scopus
|
6
|
4
|
2
|
2
|
0
|
2
|
Emerald Insight
|
4
|
3
|
1
|
2
|
0
|
2
|
SpringerLink
|
18
|
15
|
3
|
12
|
9
|
3
|
DOAJ
|
2
|
2
|
0
|
2
|
1
|
1
|
ResearchGate
|
4
|
3
|
1
|
2
|
1
|
1
|
ProQuest
|
1
|
1
|
0
|
1
|
0
|
1
|
World Bank Open Knowledge Repository
|
2
|
2
|
0
|
2
|
0
|
2
|
SAGE Journals
|
7
|
5
|
2
|
3
|
2
|
1
|
JSTOR
|
4
|
4
|
0
|
4
|
2
|
2
|
World Scientific
|
1
|
1
|
0
|
1
|
1
|
0
|
Google Scholar
|
19
|
17
|
2
|
15
|
13
|
2
|
SSRN
|
1
|
1
|
0
|
1
|
1
|
0
|
Khulna University Repository
|
1
|
1
|
0
|
1
|
1
|
0
|
PubMed
|
2
|
2
|
0
|
2
|
2
|
0
|
IIUM Repository
|
1
|
1
|
0
|
1
|
1
|
0
|
Elsevier
|
12
|
6
|
6
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
BILS Official Website
|
1
|
1
|
0
|
1
|
1
|
0
|
Taylor & Francis Online
|
2
|
2
|
0
|
2
|
1
|
1
|
Wiley Online Library
|
1
|
1
|
0
|
1
|
1
|
0
|
MDPI
|
1
|
1
|
0
|
1
|
1
|
0
|
City University Website
|
1
|
1
|
0
|
1
|
1
|
0
|
Asian Economic and Financial Review Website
|
1
|
1
|
0
|
1
|
1
|
0
|
Istanbul University Journal of Sociology Website
|
1
|
1
|
0
|
1
|
1
|
0
|
PLOS One
|
1
|
1
|
0
|
1
|
1
|
0
|
Final Selection for Review:
The final selection of studies for the systematic review was as follows:
Table 2: Final Selection
Electronic Database
|
Selected for Review
|
EconLit
|
1
|
Scopus
|
2
|
SpringerLink
|
3
|
JSTOR
|
2
|
SAGE Journals
|
1
|
Emerald Insight
|
2
|
ProQuest
|
1
|
World Bank Open Knowledge Repository
|
2
|
Google Scholar
|
2
|
Taylor & Francis Online
|
1
|
ResearchGate
|
1
|
DOAJ
|
1
|
B. CONDUCTING THE REVIEW
This section presents the results of our search and extraction of information from relevant sources and databases.
ARTICLE SEARCH AND SELECTION
The process of searching for and selecting articles for this systematic review was carried out via a detailed strategy to ensure that the pertinent literature on the economic challenges in Bangladesh was carefully analysed. The search sought to compile a diverse array of studies focusing on critical topics, including inflation, unemployment, corruption, and infrastructure development. The process commenced with the identification of suitable electronic databases recognized for their academic integrity and significance in the fields of economics and development studies. The databases utilized included ScienceDirect, EconLit, Scopus, SpringerLink, JSTOR, and SAGE journals, among others.
The initial search terms were thoughtfully designed to enhance the retrieval of pertinent articles. Inflation in Bangladesh has been a pressing issue, impacting the cost of living for many citizens. Unemployment remains a significant challenge, affecting the workforce and overall economic stability. Corruption continues to hinder economic growth, creating barriers to progress and development. Additionally, infrastructure development in Bangladesh is crucial for enhancing connectivity and supporting economic activities. Boolean operators such as AND and OR were employed to enhance the search results. The search string "inflation AND economic stability AND Bangladesh" was utilized to identify studies that focused on the connection between inflation and economic stability within the country.
The search was carried out in several phases to guarantee that all pertinent studies were included. During the initial round, the titles and abstracts of the articles were evaluated to assess their relevance to the research questions. Those that seemed to meet the criteria were selected for full-text review. A substantial number of articles emerged from the initial screening, prompting a more detailed evaluation.
During the second round, the complete texts of the chosen articles were meticulously evaluated on the basis of established inclusion and exclusion criteria. The inclusion criteria focused on studies that directly examined economic challenges in Bangladesh and were published in peer-reviewed journals or reputable repositories. The exclusion criteria removed studies that did not concentrate in Bangladesh, lacked empirical data, or were not published in academic journals.
The team kept detailed records of the search results during this process, noting the number of articles retrieved from each database, as well as the number included or excluded and the reasons for exclusion. This methodical approach guaranteed clarity and consistency in the selection process. The search and selection process resulted in a carefully curated list of articles that established a strong foundation for the systematic review. This thoughtfully curated collection of literature aims to provide important insights into the complex economic challenges encountered by Bangladesh.
DATA EXTRACTION AND ANALYSIS
The method of data extraction and analysis in this systematic review adhered to a well-organized and methodical approach. The main objective was to collect pertinent information from the chosen studies to address the research questions concerning the economic challenges in Bangladesh, such as inflation, unemployment, corruption, and infrastructure development. The process of data extraction and analysis encompassed multiple essential steps.
Data were initially extracted from each selected study via a standardized data extraction form. This method guarantees uniformity and precision in collecting vital information. The essential data points gathered included the study's title, the authors, the year of publication, and the source of publication, including the journal or repository. The study design was also documented, noting whether it was a case study, survey, or statistical analysis. The study's focus was also highlighted, categorizing it into inflation, unemployment, corruption, or infrastructure development. Additionally, important findings concerning the economic challenges faced by Bangladesh, the methodology employed in the research, and any limitations acknowledged by the authors were recorded. The implications for Bangladesh's economy were also analysed. Every study underwent a thorough review, and pertinent information was documented in the data extraction form to enable comparisons of findings across studies.
After the data were extracted, the findings were synthesized to develop a thorough understanding of the economic challenges confronting Bangladesh. This synthesis sought to emphasize significant trends, patterns, and distinctions in the ways each challenge affects the economy. The data synthesis took place in two primary stages. The initial phase consisted of thematic analysis, during which the studies were categorized into thematic groups according to their main emphasis—specifically, inflation, unemployment, corruption, or infrastructure development. This classification facilitated the comparison of findings across related themes and allowed for the identification of consistent patterns within the data. The second stage included narrative synthesis, during which a summary of key findings was created for each thematic category. This process involved summarizing data from individual studies and integrating the results to address the research questions, ultimately offering a comprehensive understanding of how each economic challenge affects Bangladesh.
Both quantitative and qualitative analyses were employed on the basis of the characteristics of the data in the chosen studies. Quantitative analysis was conducted for studies that included statistical data, such as inflation rates, unemployment figures, or economic growth indicators. This analysis focused on comparing figures from various studies to uncover trends in the economy of Bangladesh. Conversely, qualitative analysis was performed for studies utilizing qualitative methods, including interviews or case studies. This analysis concentrated on comprehending the wider economic consequences of unemployment, corruption, or infrastructure development through a socioeconomic lens.
After the data were synthesized, the findings were examined in relation to the research questions. The analysis focused on critical inquiries, particularly regarding the effects of inflation on the economic stability of Bangladesh. The discussion delved into the impact of inflation rates on purchasing power, the cost of living, and the overall stability of the economy. This review explored the impact of unemployment on Bangladesh's economic challenges, analysing the connection between unemployment rates and factors such as poverty, income inequality, and social unrest. Additionally, the analysis examined the effects of corruption on Bangladesh's economic growth, emphasizing how corruption affects foreign investment, government expenditure, and the efficacy of economic policies. The analysis ultimately examined the impact of infrastructure development on Bangladesh's economy, assessing how infrastructure contributes to enhancing productivity, drawing in investment, and fostering economic growth.
The review adhered to a systematic approach; however, certain limitations were present in the data extraction and analysis process. A limitation encountered was the availability of data; not all studies offered thorough information on every facet of the economic challenges. Several studies were deficient in statistical data, which restricted the breadth of quantitative analysis. Furthermore, biases in studies might have impacted some results, as specific research could have been swayed by the authors' biases or constraints in their methodology. Finally, contextual differences appeared, as certain studies concentrated on particular regions or sectors within Bangladesh. This regional emphasis may not accurately reflect the wider national landscape, posing difficulties in applying the findings universally.
QUALITY OF THE STUDY
The quality of the studies included in this systematic review was evaluated via a thorough methodology that considered numerous major factors. This evaluation sought to ensure that the chosen research met stringent criteria for methodological soundness, dependability, and validity. First, the study design was an important component in determining quality. Studies with strong techniques, such as randomized controlled trials or longitudinal designs, were prioritized. These designs are notable for their ability to produce strong evidence while minimizing prejudice.
Next, the sample methods utilized in each study were investigated. Studies that used random or stratified sampling strategies were regarded as higher quality because they produced more representative samples and had a lower possibility of selection bias. In contrast, research using convenience sampling or with small sample sizes was seen as having possible constraints that could affect the generalizability of their findings.
Additionally, the clarity of the research aims and questions was important in determining quality. High-quality studies clearly specify their objectives and hypotheses, offering a sound reason for their research. This clarity made it easier to grasp how the research added to the existing body of information on Bangladesh's economic issues.
Furthermore, the validity and reliability of the measurement tools utilized in the research were assessed. Reliable instruments are vital for ensuring that the data collected appropriately reflect the constructs under investigation. Studies that used validated instruments or standardized questionnaires were rated as higher quality. Furthermore, the thoroughness of the data analysis was examined, as strong statistical analyses lend confidence to the study's findings.
Quality assessment also relies heavily on outcome reporting and methodological transparency. Studies with extensive descriptions of their methodologies, including data gathering processes and analytical techniques, were judged to be of better quality. Transparency improves the reproducibility of research by allowing others to reproduce or build on the results.
Finally, the authors acknowledged limits and potential biases, which was regarded as an important part of quality. High-quality studies acknowledge their limitations and explore how they might affect their findings. This critical evaluation of the research process is essential for comprehending the extent and relevance of the findings.