Scoping Reviews

Framework Stages

Description

Identify the Research Question

1. Clearly articulate the research question that will guide the scope of inquiry. Consider the concept, target population, and health outcomes of interest to clarify the focus of the scoping study and establish an effective search strategy. (PRISMA-ScR item #4).
2. Consider the purpose of the scoping study with the research question. Envision the intended outcome (e.g., framework, list of recommendations) to help determine the purpose of the study. (PRISMA-ScR item #4).
3. Consider rationale for conducting the scoping study to help clarify the purpose (PRISMA-ScR item #3).
4. One potential framework for formatting a scoping review research question is the PCC (Population, Concept, Context) model. (JBI, 11.1.2)
   • This is not the only model that exists for formatting a research question! Learn more about other frameworks here.

Develop a Protocol

1. After finalizing the research question, create and "publish" a review protocol before starting the literature search (PRISMA-ScR item #5).
2. The protocol should include:
   • Inclusion and exclusion criteria
   • Eligibility criteria
   • Search strategy
   • How you plan to assess the studies

Tip #1: For more information on how to write a protocol, check out Gumberg's Evidence Synthesis Protocol Library Guide.

Identify Relevant Studies

1. Identify the relevant studies and developing a decision plan for where to search, which terms to use, which sources are to be searched, time span, and language. (PRISMA-ScR item #6). 
2. Sources include electronic databases, reference lists, hand searching of key journals, and organizations and conferences. (PRISMA-ScR item #7). 
3. Assemble a suitable team with content and methodological expertise that will ensure successful completion of the study.
4. Document full electronic search strategy including limits in each database used. (PRISMA-ScR item #8).
5. Be broad and comprehensive in the search but remember practicalities, since time, budget and personnel resources are potential limiting factors and decisions need to be made upfront about how these will impact the search.
6. When limiting scope is unavoidable, justify decisions and acknowledge the potential limitations to the study.

Tip #2: For help with search strategies, consult with a librarian and use the planning form below to begin developing your search.

Tip #3: Use citation management software like EndNote to keep track of articles. 

Tip #4: Use Duquesne supported software like Box to assist with collaboration.

Select Studies

1. This stage should be considered an iterative process involving searching the literature, refining the search strategy, and reviewing articles for study inclusion. (PRISMA-ScR item #9).
2. At the beginning of the process, the team should meet to discuss decisions surrounding study inclusion and exclusion. At least two reviewers should independently review abstracts for inclusion.
3. After the review of abstracts, two researchers should independently review full articles for inclusion.
4. When disagreements on study inclusion occur, a third reviewer can determine final inclusion.

Tip #5: For help tracking articles reviewed, consider using software like Covidence.

Chart the Data

1. The research team should collectively develop the data charting form and determine which variables to extract in order to answer the research question.
2. Charting should be considered an iterative process in which researchers continually extract data and update the data- charting form. (PRISMA-ScR item #10).
3. Two authors should independently extract data. 
4. The JBI Manual for Evidence Synthesis offers a template for data extraction here.
5. The JBI Manual specifically details data extraction in Chapter 11.3.7.3.

Tip #6: Covidence offers advanced tools for data extraction, including customizable extraction templates that researchers can tweak for their own purposes. Learn more about Covidence here.

Collate, Summarize, and Report the Results

Researchers should break this stage into four distinct steps:

1.  Analysis (including descriptive numerical summary analysis and qualitative thematic analysis). (PRISMA-ScR item #13).
2. Reporting the results and producing the outcome that refers to the overall purpose or research question. (PRISMA-ScR item #14-17).
3. Synthesize: Summarize and/or present the charting results as they relate to the review questions and objectives, see Peters et al. (2015) for examples. (PRISMA-ScR item #18).
4. Consider the meaning of the findings as they relate to the overall study purpose; discuss implications for future research, practice and policy. (PRISMA-ScR item #19-21).

Tip #7: Check out Westlake (2012) for tips and visual examples of synthesis.

Consultation

1. Consultation should be an essential component of scoping study methodology.
2. Clearly establish a purpose for the consultation.
3. Clearly articulate the type of stakeholders to consult and how data will be collected, analyzed, reported and integrated within the overall study outcome.