How to Write a Scoping Review: A Practical Guide

A scoping review is a type of evidence synthesis that systematically maps the breadth of existing evidence on a specific topic. This process is essential for knowledge gaps identification and helps researchers gain insight into how scoping reviews map evidence and clarify concepts or definitions in the literature. Unlike a systematic review, which seeks to answer a focused question regarding the effectiveness of an intervention—often seen in systematic review comparisons — a scoping review takes a broader perspective. The purpose of scoping reviews includes identifying knowledge gaps, clarifying definitions, and determining whether a more targeted review (e.g., a systematic review) is warranted in the future. This makes scoping reviews an important precursor to systematic review processes. Additionally, they play a crucial role in informing clinical guidelines by providing a comprehensive overview of available research.

When conducting research, it is vital to consider scoping review methodology, especially when addressing broad research questions in scoping reviews. Utilizing frameworks such as the Arksey and O'Malley framework or resources provided by the JBI methodological working group can enhance the quality of the review process. Below are the key steps to planning and executing a successful scoping review:

1. Identify the research question.
2. Engage stakeholders to ensure relevance and applicability.
3. Determine the inclusion and exclusion criteria.
4. Conduct a thorough literature search.
5. Analyze and synthesize the data collected.

Keep in mind the advantages of scoping reviews, such as their ability to provide an overview of complex topics and their limitations, including potential challenges in data interpretation. For those interested in structured guidance, accessing resources or frameworks for developing high-quality scoping reviews is recommended. Consider referring to the PRISMA-ScR review protocol for standardized reporting practices.

Define Your Research Objective and Question

Start by clearly defining the purpose of your scoping review. Are you aiming to:

• Map studies on interventions related to a specific topic?
• Explore how key concepts are clarified in the literature?
• Identify research gaps?

Use a recognized model like the PCC model (Population, Concept, Context) to frame your scoping review question. This will help ensure that your scope is broad enough to include the main ideas but focused enough to avoid an unmanageable search. Consider consulting resources such as the Joanna Briggs Institute and the Cochrane handbook for guidance on developing effective literature review search strategies. It's also important to understand the limitations of scoping reviews when it comes to practical implications and how they differ from systematic reviews in terms of identifying benefits and limitations for informing practice or policy. By being transparent in your process and following reporting guidelines for scoping reviews, you can effectively use this methodology in various situations such as policy and research planning.

Develop a Scoping Review Protocol

Developing a scoping review protocol is essential to maintain transparency in scoping reviews and consistency throughout the process. A well-structured protocol outlines your objectives, inclusion and exclusion criteria, planned search strategy, and data extraction methods. It is crucial to clearly define your inclusion and exclusion criteria to ensure that the review is systematic and reproducible. Though registering your protocol for a scoping review is not always mandatory, platforms like the Open Science Framework (OSF) make it easier to share and refine your plan. Consider utilizing the PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews checklist to guide you in protocol development. Additionally, be mindful of the risk of bias by incorporating assessment of bias in evidence synthesis as part of your methodology. Following established guidelines such as JBI methodology can enhance the rigor of your review. By integrating knowledge translation resources, you can ensure that your findings are accessible and applicable to broader audiences. This approach aligns with the principles of integrated knowledge translation, facilitating effective dissemination of results. Understanding what a scoping review is and clearly articulating your search strategy planning will help streamline the process and improve the quality of data extraction.

Establish Eligibility Criteria

Next, align your eligibility criteria establishment with your research objectives. Consider study design considerations such as characteristics like study design, publication year selection, language restrictions in scoping reviews, and participant demographics analysis. Scoping reviews typically include a variety of sources, from peer-reviewed articles to grey literature inclusion (such as conference proceedings or policy documents). Be explicit about your rationale for each inclusion or exclusion parameter, especially when addressing patient complexity.

When conducting a scoping review, it's essential to clearly define your inclusion and exclusion criteria to ensure a thorough research synthesis. This alignment will help guide you through the steps in conducting a scoping review process effectively. Remember to refer to guidelines like PRISMA-ScR to enhance the rigor of your review. Consider the publication year of the studies you include to maintain relevance and accuracy in your results synthesis. Additionally, be mindful of language restrictions in scoping reviews; including studies in multiple languages can enrich your findings and provide a broader perspective on the topic.

Conduct a Comprehensive Search

When conducting a thorough search for literature, it is crucial to use effective strategies that align with your research goals. Start by clearly defining the purpose of scoping reviews and understanding the differences between scoping and systematic reviews.

Use various methods to search for literature across multiple databases, making sure to choose the right databases for scoping reviews. This will help you gather relevant information on topics such as bronchopulmonary dysplasia and indigenous primary healthcare service delivery models. As you go through policy documents and other academic resources, be aware of the distinctions between scoping and systematic reviews. Familiarize yourself with the Colquhoun and O'Brien extension to guide your process effectively.

Steps in the Scoping Review Process

Consider the following steps in the scoping review process:

1. Identify your research question.
2. Determine the scope of the review.
3. Select appropriate databases.
4. Apply relevant search terms and keywords.
5. Analyze the gathered literature for thematic insights.

Additionally, seek out methodological guidance for scoping reviews to ensure that your findings contribute meaningfully to systematic evidence mapping in your field.

Screen and Select Studies

In scoping reviews, two or more independent reviewers should screen titles and abstracts based on the agreed-upon criteria. They should do this independently during the study screening process. If there are any disagreements, they should discuss them or consult a third reviewer. Studies that seem to meet the criteria for a full-text review should be kept for a comprehensive evaluation. It's important to document each stage of the review process using a PRISMA-ScR flow diagram. This includes noting down the reasons for excluding certain studies. By doing so, we ensure that our methods in reviews are rigorous and transparent. This approach is particularly crucial when mapping available evidence, such as in hip replacement wear studies.

Consult Stakeholders

When conducting scoping reviews, it's beneficial to consider consulting stakeholders. This can help us further refine our criteria and make informed decisions about whether to choose a scoping review or a systematic review based on our research goals.

Extract and Chart the Data in Scoping Reviews

Create a standardized data extraction form to capture details such as author, year, population, methodology, and key findings. This form is essential for effective data extraction methods in scoping reviews. The charting process in scoping reviews should be piloted by multiple reviewers through pilot testing data extraction to ensure consistency and reliability.

Keep the extraction broad to capture all relevant themes and topics, facilitating thematic mapping of evidence. Since the goal is to map the landscape rather than deeply analyze study outcomes, it's important to consider clarifying concepts and definitions in literature and examining research methodology in a field. Additionally, be mindful of identifying characteristics related to concepts that may influence the risk of bias assessment. By adhering to these practices, you can enhance transparency and reproducibility in scoping reviews. For further guidance, find guidance on the indications and appropriate uses of scoping reviews and discover reporting standards and checklists applicable to scoping reviews such as PRISMA-ScR.

Synthesize and Report Findings

Unlike systematic reviews, scoping reviews usually provide a descriptive overview of the literature rather than a critical appraisal. When synthesizing scoping review findings, organize your data thematically through thematic organization of data, noting recurring concepts, knowledge gaps, and emerging ideas. Present your findings via tables, charts, or narrative summaries, ensuring your readers can see the breadth of evidence on the topic. This approach not only aids in reporting scoping review results but also facilitates evidence mapping. A well-structured discussion highlights areas that need further research by identifying research gaps in scoping reviews and mentions limitations of scoping review findings — such as language restrictions or the absence of full-text articles. Be sure to address any methodological limitations that may affect the interpretation of your results. By following these guidelines, you can effectively explore the benefits and appropriate use cases for scoping reviews in research and policy contexts, as outlined in the Arksey and O'Malley framework.

Draw Conclusions and Identify Gaps

Finally, interpret your results in light of the objectives. Has the review highlighted inconsistencies in definitions, or have you found enough literature to justify a future systematic review? Consider the conclusions in scoping reviews to summarize potential research opportunities and identify evidence gaps that may warrant further investigation. Offer suggestions to guide future investigations or more focused reviews, particularly those that adhere to reporting standards such as the JBI guidelines. By following these steps in a structured scoping review process, you can effectively map evidence and concepts while assessing methodological quality. If you need personalized academic ghostwriting assistance in conducting your review — from protocol design to final write-up — our academic ghostwriting team at WritGuru is here to help. Visit our Blog page for more expert insights on academic writing and research techniques, including rapid review methods and examples of applications of scoping reviews in different research contexts. Additionally, explore how to engage stakeholders during the scoping review process for better knowledge translation.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

What is a scoping review and what is its purpose?

A scoping review is a research synthesis method that maps existing evidence on a particular topic. It aims to identify knowledge gaps, clarify definitions, and determine the need for conducting a systematic review.

What are the key steps involved in conducting a scoping review?

The key steps include defining the research objective or question using the PCC model, developing a protocol for transparency and consistency, establishing eligibility criteria, conducting a comprehensive search using keyword strings and Boolean operators, screening and selecting studies with tools like the PRISMA-ScR flow diagram, extracting and charting data using standardized forms, synthesizing and reporting findings through tables, charts, and narrative summaries, and finally drawing conclusions to identify gaps for future research.

How do you define the research question in a scoping review?

The research question is defined by applying the PCC model which stands for Population, Concept, and Context. This helps in clearly framing the scope and focus of the review.

What eligibility criteria are typically established in a scoping review?

Eligibility criteria often include study design types, publication year range, language restrictions, and demographic characteristics relevant to the research question to ensure appropriate inclusion of studies.

How is the literature search conducted in a scoping review?

A comprehensive search strategy is employed using keyword strings combined with Boolean operators to capture relevant studies. Citation chasing may also be used to find additional sources.

How are findings synthesized and reported in a scoping review?

Findings are synthesized by providing a descriptive overview using tables, charts, and narrative summaries. This approach facilitates clear presentation of evidence mapping and highlights areas requiring further investigation or systematic reviews.