Instructions for Composing Literature Reviews
Scoping Reviews are a valuable research method used to map the existing literature within a specific topic or field. They are particularly suited to identifying key concepts, types of evidence, research gaps, and how research is conducted in a field.
A scoping review is appropriate for a research project when the goal is to broadly map the existing literature on a general or complex topic, especially when the evidence is diverse, heterogeneous, or not yet comprehensively reviewed. Scoping reviews are ideal for exploring new or complex research areas where evidence is scarce or inconsistent.
One of the key characteristics of a scoping review is its exploratory scope and purpose, allowing for more flexibility in methodology. Scoping reviews differ from other review types in that they can include various study designs and methods, such as qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods research.
To conduct a scoping review, several steps are followed. First, a review team with diverse expertise is assembled to increase the comprehensiveness of the review. Then, titles and abstracts are screened to identify studies that meet the inclusion criteria. Following this, a full-text review of the selected studies is conducted to confirm their relevance.
A detailed review protocol is developed, including goals, inclusion criteria, search strategy, and data extraction methods. It's essential to prepare for an iterative process, refining the search strategy and selection criteria as necessary. A standardized data extraction form is created to collect information from the studies.
The data extracted is synthesized in a primarily descriptive manner, summarizing the main results, identifying patterns, and presenting the key concepts and gaps in the literature. Scoping reviews provide an overview of available research findings, identify key characteristics, and highlight gaps in the current knowledge base.
In contrast to systematic reviews, scoping reviews typically do not include rigorous quality appraisal of studies but emphasize transparency and replicability in methods. Scoping reviews are valuable in areas where research is still developing or where a significant amount of disparate information needs to be consolidated. They are also valuable in areas where the evidence base is rapidly evolving, helping researchers, practitioners, and policymakers make informed decisions.
For those interested in learning more about scoping reviews, references include works by Arksey & O'Malley (2005), Levac et al. (2010), Peters et al. (2015), and Tricco et al. (2018). A free trial version of our data analysis platform is available for literature research. Scoping reviews are used in various fields, particularly in health and social sciences.
Software tools can be utilized to streamline the process of conducting scoping reviews, such as online education platforms for managing data extraction and synthesis. Engaging in an education-and-self-development course on online-education sites dedicated to learning about scoping reviews can provide valuable insights for researchers.
