What is a Scoping Review?

A scoping review is designed to map the existing literature in a particular topic or research area. Unlike systematic reviews, which address specific research questions with a precise methodology, scoping reviews are broader in their methodology. They aim to provide an overview of the available research evidence, identify key characteristics, and highlight gaps in the current knowledge. The scoping review methodology helps understand emerging evidence and the breadth of information on a new or poorly defined topic.

Scoping reviews search, select, and synthesize existing literature but allow for greater flexibility. The scoping review process clarifies working definitions and conceptual boundaries. It provides a preliminary assessment of the size and scope of available research literature. Scoping review methods can identify gaps in the research and suggest areas for future research priorities. This approach is valuable in fields where research is developing or where there is a significant amount of disparate information to be synthesized.

When to use a scoping review?

Scoping reviews are used in several fields, especially within the health sciences and social sciences. They are ideal when exploring new or complex research areas where the evidence may be sparse or varied. It is useful to conduct a scoping review when the research question is exploratory and not limited to specific interventions or outcomes, providing a comprehensive overview of the relevant literature.

This type of review is also valuable for identifying gaps in the existing literature that can inform future research agendas. In health research policy, for example, scoping reviews can map out the range of interventions available for a particular health condition, helping policymakers understand the current state of evidence. Conducting a scoping review is useful in social research methodology for exploring how different concepts are being used across various studies.

Scoping reviews tend to be used when the goal is to identify gaps in the research evidence and suggest areas for future research. They can inform future research priorities by highlighting areas where evidence is lacking. Additionally, scoping reviews are useful for practitioners who need to stay informed about the latest developments in their field. For instance, a healthcare provider might use a scoping review to understand the range of treatments available for a condition they frequently encounter. This may be followed by a more precise systematic review. Similarly, policymakers might rely on scoping reviews to guide decisions about funding and resource allocation in public health initiatives.

Examining emerging evidence is a critical aspect of conducting scoping reviews. This process involves evidence synthesis, which aggregates findings from various sources to provide a clearer understanding of a particular topic. Scoping reviews are particularly effective for examining emerging evidence because they cast a wide net, incorporating diverse studies and methodologies to create a broad overview of the existing research landscape.