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Scoping Review (ScR): Guidelines and Standards

Welcome!

This guide is designed to help familiarize KUMC library users with the essential guidelines and standards for conducting and reporting Scoping Reviews (ScRs). Researchers interested in considering a scoping review should explore the critical information and resources provided in the guide while planning their review.

Scoping Review (ScR) Overview

What are Scoping Reviews?

"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." (Munn, Z. et al. 2022)

What are the main attributes of a Scoping Review?

  • A knowledge synthesis approach that provides an overview of available research evidence but does not provide a summary answer to inform clinical decision-making.  
  • ScR typically addresses broader research questions with a wider scope and included studies.
  • ScR requires rigorous and transparent methods in their conduct to ensure that the results are trustworthy. 

Why are Scoping Reviews conducted?

  • To scope or map the extent of research conducted in a field
  • To clarify key concepts and definitions in a field
  • To summarize and identify existing gaps in the research topic
  • To identify and analyze gaps in research on a given topic
  • As a precursor of conducting a systematic review

Introductory video on Scoping Reviews by JBI

 

Introduction and overview of Scoping Review by Munn, Z. 

There are various types of reviews available in the realm of evidence synthesis. Explore the Types of Review Research Guide to know more about different kinds of reviews. 

Should I conduct a Scoping Review or a Systematic Review?

A common question that arises when conducting an evidence synthesis project is whether to carry out a ScR or an SR. The following table provides an overview of the differences, helping you determine the best course of action.