A scoping review is a form of knowledge synthesis that aims to systematically map the breadth and scope of research evidence on a particular topic, field, or concept. Unlike systematic reviews, which seek to answer narrowly focused research questions and often assess the quality of included studies, scoping reviews are designed to explore the extent, range, and nature of research activity without necessarily evaluating study quality or synthesizing findings for clinical decision-making.
Scoping reviews are particularly useful for:
Identifying gaps in the literature
Clarifying key concepts and definitions
Examining how research is conducted on a topic
Informing future research, policy, or practice directions
Scoping reviews follow a structured, reproducible process and often adhere to methodological frameworks such as those proposed by Arksey and O'Malley (2005), further refined by Levac et al. (2010) and the Joanna Briggs Institute. The reporting of scoping reviews is commonly guided by the PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews) checklist.
Citation examples:
Arksey, H., & O’Malley, L. (2005). Scoping studies: towards a methodological framework. International Journal of Social Research Methodology, 8(1), 19–32. https://doi.org/10.1080/1364557032000119616
Tricco, A. C., et al. (2018). PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR): Checklist and Explanation. Annals of Internal Medicine, 169(7), 467–473. https://doi.org/10.7326/M18-0850
While both scoping reviews and systematic reviews are types of evidence synthesis, they serve different purposes and follow distinct methodologies.
| Feature | Scoping Review | Systematic Review |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | To map the literature on a broad topic or question | To answer a specific, focused research question |
| Research Question | Broad or exploratory (e.g., “What is known about...?”) | Narrow and well-defined (e.g., PICO format) |
| Study Inclusion Criteria | May evolve as review progresses | Predefined and strictly followed |
| Search Strategy | Comprehensive and inclusive | Comprehensive and targeted |
| Data Extraction | Often descriptive or thematic | Focused on specific outcomes or variables |
| Quality Assessment | Not usually performed | Critical appraisal of included studies is required |
| Synthesis Approach | Narrative, tabular, or thematic | Quantitative (e.g., meta-analysis) or qualitative |
| Reporting Guidelines | PRISMA-ScR (Scoping Review extension) | PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) |
In summary:
