Inferences made in integrative research reviews are as important to the validity of behavioral science knowledge as are those in primary research. The research review is conceptualized as a scientific inquiry involving five stages paralleling those of primary research. Problem formulation is the stage when variables are defined conceptually and operationally. In the data collection stage, an inquirer must decide on the population of elements that will be the referent for the inquiry. Critical judgments about the quality of data points occur during data evaluation. Data collected by the researcher are synthesized into a unified statement during analysis and interpretation. Presentation of the review in a public document is the final stage. One study asked reviewers to integrate literatures that vary in findings and operational homogeneity of their studies. Some were requested to make formal judgments of research quality. The other study manipulated literature size, findings, and the reviewer's analytic interpretation strategy. The dependent variables in both studies were reviewer perceptions about the tested hypotheses and recommendations for future research. (DWH)