Scoping Review
A scoping review is a systematic methodological approach designed to map the breadth of existing literature on a specific topic, concept, or field. Unlike systematic reviews, which aim to answer specific research questions through rigorous quality assessment of primary studies, scoping reviews focus on identifying the types of evidence available, key concepts, and emerging themes within a domain. This process involves a broad search strategy to capture diverse sources, including grey literature, to provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of knowledge.
Purpose and Distinction
The primary purpose of a scoping review is to clarify working definitions of concepts and key characteristics in areas of rapid or complex expansion. It helps to identify gaps in the existing research and determine the feasibility of conducting a full systematic review. By mapping the volume and nature of evidence, researchers can understand how research has been conducted on a topic, what types of evidence exist, and where consensus or controversy lies.
Methodology
Scoping reviews typically follow established frameworks, such as the Arksey and O’Malley framework or the JBI manual for scoping reviews. The methodology involves iterative stages including identifying the research question, identifying relevant studies, study selection, charting the data, and collating, summarizing, and reporting the results. The inclusion criteria are often broader than those in systematic reviews to ensure a wide capture of literature, prioritizing comprehensiveness over critical appraisal of individual study quality.