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Boxer Library

Systematic Reviews, Scoping Reviews & Other Evidence Synthesis Projects

What are Scoping Reviews?

While other types of reviews set out to address a precise research question, scoping reviews can be used to "map the key concepts that underpin a field of research, as well as to clarify working definitions, and/or the conceptual boundaries of a topic." The JBI Manual lists the following indications for a scoping review:

  • As a precursor to a systematic review
  • To identify the types of available evidence in a given field
  • To identify and analyze knowledge gaps
  • To clarify key concepts/definitions in the literature
  • To examine how research is conducted on a certain topic or field
  • To identify key characteristics or factors related to a concept

Need help determining whether or not a scoping review is right for you? Ask a librarian for help!

How do scoping reviews differ from systematic reviews?

  • Use the PCC (Population, Concept, Context) framework for your question rather than PICO (Population, Intervention, Control, and Outcome)
  • Scoping reviews map concepts, trends and issues rather than answer very specific research questions
  • You do not perform critical appraisal on the studies that are included in your scoping review

It is important to note that scoping reviews should not be seen as an easier or faster option than a systematic review. They are just different and can take just as much time! 

Steps of a Scoping Review

Peters et al (2020) list the methodological steps to a scoping review:

  1. Defining and aligning the objective/s and question/s
  2. Developing and aligning the inclusion criteria with the objective/s and question/s
  3. Describing the planned approach to evidence searching, selection, data extraction, and presentation of the evidence
  4. Searching for the evidence
  5. Selecting the evidence
  6. Extracting the evidence
  7. Analysis of the evidence
  8. Presentation of the evidence
  9. Summarizing the evidence in relation to the purpose of the review, making conclusions and noting any implications of the findings

Presenting Your Scoping Review

PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) has released an extension for scoping reviews. You should use this extension to guide what items you report.