“How-to”: scoping review?

Pollock, Danielle; Evans, Catrin; Jia, Romy Menghao; Alexander, Lyndsay; Pieper, Dawid; Brandão de Moraes, Érica; Peters, Micah D.J.; Tricco, Andrea C.; Khalil, Hanan; Godfrey, Christina M.; Saran, Ashrita; Campbell, Fiona; Munn, Zachary

Abstract

Background and Objective: Scoping reviews are a type of evidence synthesis that aims to identify and map the breadth of evidence available on a particular topic, field, concept, or issue, within or across a defined context or contexts. Scoping reviews can contribute to clinical practice guideline development, policy making, reduce research waste by eliminating duplication of research effort, and be a precursor to a systematic review or inform further primary research. This article aims to provide a brief introduction of how to conduct and report scoping reviews. Study Design and Setting: We will discuss the role and value of scoping reviews within the evidence synthesis ecosystem, the differences and similarities between these reviews and other types of evidence syntheses such as systematic reviews, mapping reviews, evidence and gap maps, and overviews, and how to overcome common challenges often associated in the conduct, reporting, and dissemination of scoping reviews. Results: Scoping reviews have a role in the evidence ecosystem; however, we need to acknowledge their challenges. Conclusion: Scoping reviews are a popular form of evidence synthesis, and further research is needed to provide clarity of current methodological challenges.

Citation

Pollock, D., Evans, C., Jia, R. M., Alexander, L., Pieper, D., Brandão de Moraes, É., Peters, M. D., Tricco, A. C., Khalil, H., Godfrey, C. M., Saran, A., Campbell, F., & Munn, Z. (2024). “How-to”: scoping review?. Journal of Clinical Epidemiology, 176, Article 111572. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclinepi.2024.111572

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Oct 10, 2024
• Online Publication Date: Oct 17, 2024
• Publication Date: 2024-12
• Deposit Date: Oct 16, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Oct 18, 2025
• Journal: Journal of Clinical Epidemiology
• Print ISSN: 0895-4356
• Electronic ISSN: 1878-5921
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 176
• Article Number: 111572
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclinepi.2024.111572
• Keywords: Scoping reviews; Evidence synthesis; Evidence-based health care; Knowledge synthesis; Mapping reviews; Evidence and gap maps; Research methodology
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/40581791
• Publisher URL: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0895435624003287
• Additional Information: This article is maintained by: Elsevier; Article Title: ‘How-To:’ Scoping Review?; Journal Title: Journal of Clinical Epidemiology; CrossRef DOI link to publisher maintained version: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclinepi.2024.111572; Content Type: article; Copyright: © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc.