Skip to Main Content
 

Scoping Reviews

This guide provides a step by step breakdown of how to conduct a scoping review and how librarians can assist in the process.

About Data Extraction

"As in systematic reviews, scoping review authors should only extract data items that are relevant to the scoping review questions. Therefore, potential data items of interest can be structured around the PCC framework. Further items for data extraction will depend on the purpose and reasoning behind conducting the review. For example, the individual items could be related to the study design, such as whether it was a randomized controlled trial (RCT); the methods used for conduct; and outcome measurement approaches. Alternatively, it could include definitions, statements, or arguments surrounding a concept. It could be interventions studied, their application, dose, duration, and frequency."

Source: Recommendations for the extraction, analysis, and presentation of results in scoping reviews

Data Extraction Guidelines

  • Create a standardized data extraction form
  • Document guidance for the form will be used and applied and ensure all team members understand
  • Describe the planned data extraction and develop a draft extraction form for your protocol
  • Test your draft data extraction form on each type of study included in the review
  • Have at least 2 researchers independently extract the data from each included study
  • Develop a plan for resolving disagreements in data extraction

Extraction 1 vs. Extraction 2

Extraction 1 Extraction 2
  • Ideal for intervention reviews with a standardized PICO(T) structure for ease of meta-analysis.
  • Designed for intervention studies.
  • Recommended by Cochrane.
  • Supports dual or single reviewer extraction.
  • Structured format for organized data collection.
  • Can add or edit custom fields.
  • Can define rules to determine who can do what during extraction.
  • Can export to RevMan, CSV, or Excel.
  • Updates can be made at any time and these changes will be applied to all studies.
  • Best suited for non-intervention reviews, scoping reviews, or qualitative reviews with a customizable structure.
  • Unstructured format for flexible data collection.
  • Supports dual or single reviewer extraction.
  • Can add or edit custom fields.
  • Supports dual or single reviewer extraction.
  • Can export to CSV or Excel.
  • More flexible and fully customizable (can start from scratch or start from current template).
  • Updates can be made at any time and these changes will be applied to all studies.

Data Extraction Tools

Covidence: allows you to create and publish a data extraction template with text fields, single choice items, section headings and subheadings, perform dual reviewer data extraction, review extractions for consensus and export data extracted to a csv file. 

For more Information about Covidence

Spreadsheets or Database Software (Excel or Google Sheets)

Spreadsheets or database software can be used to create custom extraction forms. Spreadsheet software (such as Microsoft Excel) has functions such as drop-down menus and range checks, which can perform data collection efficiently and help to prevent data entry errors. 

Survey or Form Software (Qualtrics, Poll Everywhere, or Google Forms)

These tools allow the reviewers to create custom forms with a variety of question types to collect data in a standardized format

  • Qualtrics can be found in the ATSU portal