LibGuides: ATSU Library Research Hub: Scoping Reviews

What Is a Scoping Review?

"Scoping reviews are a type of evidence synthesis that aims to systematically identify and map the breadth of evidence available on a particular topic, field, concept, or issue, often irrespective of source (ie, primary research, reviews, non-empirical evidence) within or across particular contexts. Scoping reviews can clarify key concepts/definitions in the literature and identify key characteristics or factors related to a concept, including those related to methodological research."

Source: What are scoping reviews? Providing a formal definition of scoping reviews as a type of evidence synthesis

Common Reasons for Conducting a Scoping Review:

To identify the types of available evidence in a given field.
To identify and analyze knowledge gaps.
To clarify key concepts/definitions in the literature.
To examine how research is conducted on a certain topic
To identify key characteristics or factors related to a concept.
As a precursor to a systematic review.

Required elements of a Scoping Review:

A team to ensure unbiased screening
Conducted according to JBI guidelines
Reported according to the PRISMA-ScR standards
File a protocol a priori
Reproducible and transparent search strategies of multiple applicable databases and grey literature sources
Two phases of screening: Title/Abstract and Full Text by at least 2 screeners
Documentation of included and excluded studies according to the PRISMA flow diagram
Documentation of data extraction process per protocol
Citation of included studies, guidelines and tools utilized

Systematic and Scoping Review Service Request Form
This is a required planning step performed a priori to a scoping review or systematic review. This form follows a modified version of the PRISMA 2020 statement. This protocol will be used solely for library purposes to help with consultation services or in construction of the literature search. All information shared is strictly held confidential. We will respond to your request within 2-3 business days. Please be aware that due to the volume of requests, we may not be able to complete your search immediately. For questions about this form, please contact the library at libmo@atsu.edu or libaz@atsu.edu.

Scoping Review v. Systematic Review

Systematic and scoping reviews share similar characteristics, including:

Protocol registration
Adherence to accepted guidelines
Adherence to PRISMA for reporting
Use of complex, systematic search techniques
Use of standardized data extraction techniques
Requiring at least 2 team members for independent screening and data extraction

That being said, scoping reviews differ from systematic reviews in key ways:

Scoping reviews focus on broad questions without defined answers, such as analyzing the state of the literature on a given topic, seeking to define the boundaries or definitions of a topic, identifying research gaps, or identifying the value and need for a systematic review
Scoping reviews do NOT require critical appraisal of their included studies
Clinical questions, such as those related to clinical practice or the feasibility, safety or effectiveness of treatments, are not appropriate for a scoping review

If you are in doubt about which type of review suits your research question, reach out to your liaison librarian.

Systematic review or scoping review? Guidance for authors when choosing between a systematic or scoping review approach
The purpose of this article is to clearly describe the differences in indications between scoping reviews and systematic reviews and to provide guidance for when a scoping review is (and is not) appropriate.

Scoping Review Process

Planning and choosing tools
Developing a protocol
Developing a search strategy
Registering your protocol
Running your searches
Screening articles
Extracting data
Synthesizing and publishing results

Scoping Review Process and Tips
This document, produced by the ATSU library, provides a granular breakdown of each step in the scoping review process. The document is an easy way to assign tasks to team member and document their completion.

Scoping Reviews: Search Assistance and Educational Services

The A.T. Still Memorial Library provides two levels of services for systematic and scoping reviews. Librarians can serve as consultants, offering education and feedback on the process, or they can act as co-authors, managing the searches directly as well as participating in the writing of the final article.

*Consultant	**Co-Author
Help determine what type of literature review fits your research question Provide education on systematic review methodology Help refine your research question based on available evidence Recommend databases and gray literature sources Provide feedback on your search strategy Provide education on developing comprehensive search strategies Provide education on translating your search strategy between different databases Provide training on citation management and systematic review software (Covidence) As a consultant, your librarian can provide up to 5 hours of support for your project	Help determine what type of literature review fits your research question Provide education on systematic review methodology Help refine your research question based on available evidence Select databases and gray literature sources Create the search strategy Translate search strategy into the syntax of all databases Perform searches and export them in citation management/systematic review software Provide training on citation management and systematic review software (Covidence) Write the search strategy section of the protocol and manuscript Advise on writing article according to PRISMA guidelines Provide editorial feedback on the manuscript

*Consultant

**Co-Author

Help determine what type of literature review fits your research question
Provide education on systematic review methodology
Help refine your research question based on available evidence
Recommend databases and gray literature sources
Provide feedback on your search strategy
Provide education on developing comprehensive search strategies
Provide education on translating your search strategy between different databases
Provide training on citation management and systematic review software (Covidence)
As a consultant, your librarian can provide up to 5 hours of support for your project

Help determine what type of literature review fits your research question
Provide education on systematic review methodology
Help refine your research question based on available evidence
Select databases and gray literature sources
Create the search strategy
Translate search strategy into the syntax of all databases
Perform searches and export them in citation management/systematic review software
Provide training on citation management and systematic review software (Covidence)
Write the search strategy section of the protocol and manuscript
Advise on writing article according to PRISMA guidelines
Provide editorial feedback on the manuscript

Librarians can assist with students projects at the consultant level, but students are required to do the majority of their own work.

*Librarian acknowledgement is appreciated for consultant work

**Librarian co-authorship requires that the team complete the systematic review methodology according to the Cochrane or JBI guidelines and report the review according to the PRISMA standards.