Scoping Review

Definition

A scoping review is a type of literature review that aims to map the existing literature on a particular topic, identifying key concepts, gaps, and evidence available. Unlike systematic reviews, which focus on answering specific research questions through rigorous methods, scoping reviews provide a broader overview to inform future research or policy directions, making them especially useful in emerging fields or complex areas of study.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Scoping reviews are particularly beneficial when exploring new or complex areas where there is little existing evidence.
2. They can help identify gaps in the literature, informing researchers where further studies may be needed.
3. Unlike systematic reviews, scoping reviews do not require a quality assessment of individual studies; instead, they focus on breadth rather than depth.
4. Scoping reviews are often used to develop research agendas and inform policy decisions based on the current state of knowledge.
5. They typically follow a more flexible framework than systematic reviews, allowing researchers to adapt their approach based on the emerging evidence.

Review Questions

• How does a scoping review differ from a systematic review in terms of objectives and methodology?
  • A scoping review differs from a systematic review primarily in its objectives and methodology. While a systematic review seeks to answer a specific research question through detailed analysis and quality assessment of included studies, a scoping review aims to provide an overview of existing literature without evaluating the quality of individual studies. This broader approach makes scoping reviews more suitable for mapping key concepts and identifying gaps in knowledge within emerging or complex fields.
• What role does a scoping review play in informing future research agendas or policy decisions?
  • A scoping review plays a crucial role in informing future research agendas or policy decisions by mapping the existing literature and identifying gaps where further investigation is needed. By highlighting areas with limited evidence or conflicting findings, researchers and policymakers can prioritize issues that require more focused studies. This process helps ensure that future research efforts are aligned with current needs and contribute effectively to advancing knowledge in the field.
• Evaluate the potential limitations of using scoping reviews in academic research compared to systematic reviews.
  • The potential limitations of using scoping reviews in academic research compared to systematic reviews include their lack of rigorous quality assessment for individual studies and potential for bias in selecting literature. Scoping reviews may not provide definitive answers to specific research questions due to their broad nature, which can lead to ambiguous findings. Additionally, while they highlight gaps in knowledge, they might not offer actionable recommendations as systematically reviewed evidence would. Understanding these limitations is essential for researchers to appropriately apply scoping reviews in their work.

Related terms

Systematic Review: A systematic review is a structured approach to reviewing literature that aims to answer a specific research question through comprehensive and reproducible methods, emphasizing the quality and validity of studies included.

Literature Review: A literature review summarizes and synthesizes previous research on a topic, providing an overview of what is known and where further inquiry may be needed.

Evidence Synthesis: Evidence synthesis refers to the process of integrating findings from multiple studies to provide a comprehensive understanding of a specific topic or question.