Scoping Reviews:
 Scoping reviews are particularly useful when the research question is broad, and there is a need to map the existing literature comprehensively. |
| They can help identify gaps in knowledge, highlight areas of research saturation, and guide the development of future systematic reviews or primary research. |
| Scoping reviews often involve a more flexible and iterative approach compared to systematic reviews, allowing for adjustments in the inclusion criteria and search strategy as the review progresses. |
| Stakeholder engagement can be valuable in scoping reviews to ensure that the review captures relevant literature and addresses the interests of key stakeholders. |
Scoping Reviews Report types:
A comprehensive and well-structured narrative literature review that summarizes the key findings, themes, and gaps in the literature. This can be presented as a descriptive synthesis of the included studies and their characteristics.
A visual diagram, such as a concept map or thematic framework, illustrates the relationships and connections among the identified themes or concepts.
Example research question for a scoping review:
What are the key themes and research gaps in the literature on the use of virtual reality in pain management?
A scoping review question focuses on exploring themes and research gaps in broader areas.
A scoping review differs from a systematic review in terms of its purpose, methodology, and scope. While both types of reviews aim to comprehensively summarize existing literature on a particular topic, they have distinct approaches:
| Purpose: A scoping review seeks to map and provide an overview of the existing literature on a broader research topic, identifying key concepts, sources, and gaps in knowledge. |
| Methodology: Scoping reviews employ a more exploratory and iterative approach. They involve a broader search strategy, flexible inclusion criteria, and a narrative synthesis of findings without formal quality assessment or meta-analysis. |
| Scope: Scoping reviews have a broader scope, aiming to identify all relevant literature across a broader topic. They may encompass a wider range of study designs and sources to capture the breadth of existing research. |
| Data synthesis: Scoping reviews, however, primarily employ qualitative data syntheses techniques such as thematic analysis or content analysis. The focus is on identifying trends, themes, and patterns in the literature. |
| Reporting: Scoping reviews, while also benefitting from transparent reporting, may not have specific reporting guidelines. The reporting format may vary depending on the nature of the scoping review. |
In summary, Scoping reviews offer a broader overview of a research topic, mapping the existing literature, and identifying gaps for future research.