In today’s rapidly evolving research landscape, you need to stay informed about the breadth and scope of existing studies on any given topic. Among the various types of reviews, scoping reviews have gained significant attention for their ability to map the landscape of existing literature on a broad topic. But what exactly is a scoping review, and how does it differ from other types of reviews, like systematic reviews? More importantly, how can you conduct one effectively?

In this comprehensive guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know about scoping reviews, including their purpose, methodology, and practical steps to conduct one. Whether you’re a researcher, student, or professional, this article will equip you with the knowledge to leverage scoping reviews in your work.

A scoping review is a type of research synthesis that allows you to map the existing literature on a broad topic, identify key concepts, theories, and evidence gaps, and clarify definitions or boundaries of a field. This approach is particularly useful when you need to understand key themes, trends, and research gaps in an under-researched area.
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You should consider a scoping review when:

While both scoping and systematic reviews help you synthesize research, they serve different purposes and require distinct approaches. The first explores the breadth of a topic, while the second focuses on depth and precise answers. Here’s how you can differentiate them:

You should perform a systematic review when you have a specific, well-defined research question and need to synthesize high-quality evidence to inform decision-making, policy, or practice. Systematic reviews are ideal for answering focused questions, often using frameworks like PICO (Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome). They involve a rigorous process, including a comprehensive search, critical appraisal of study quality, and often a meta-analysis to pool results statistically. Use a systematic review when your topic has enough existing research and your goal is to draw evidence-based conclusions or quantify outcomes.
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Systematic Review Example:

You should perform a scoping review when your topic is broad, complex, or emerging, and you need to map the existing literature, identify key concepts, or clarify definitions. Scoping reviews are exploratory and descriptive, making them ideal for understanding the scope of a field, identifying research gaps, or summarizing diverse evidence. They are particularly useful when the research area is underdeveloped, lacks high-quality studies, or requires clarification of terminology. Use a scoping review to provide an overview of the evidence and guide future research or systematic reviews.
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Scoping Review Example:

To conduct a scoping review, you need to follow a systematic approach to collect, organize, and summarize research findings. While less rigid than a systematic review, the process still requires structure to ensure transparency and reproducibility. Follow these steps in scoping review methodology to ensure your review is rigorous and impactful:

Start by clearly defining the purpose and scope of your scoping review. While scoping reviews are broader than systematic reviews, you still need a focused research question. Use frameworks like PCC (Population, Concept, Context) to structure your question:

Outline your review process, including inclusion and exclusion criteria, search strategy, and data extraction methods. Create a protocol to outline the methodology and plan for your scoping review. This ensures transparency and reproducibility. Your protocol should include:

Publish your protocol in advance (e.g., on platforms like PROSPERO or Open Science Framework) to enhance credibility.

Conduct a thorough search across multiple databases, journals, and other sources to gather relevant literature. You can use tools like Litmaps in addition to journals to simplify your literature search.
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See how you can use Litmaps for easier literature reviews. 📚✨

Screen the titles, abstracts, and full texts of identified studies to determine their relevance. Apply your inclusion and exclusion criteria to screen and select studies for analysis.

Collect key information from the selected studies, such as study details (author, year, location), key findings, gaps or limitations, objectives, and methods. Create a standardized data extraction form to ensure consistency.

Unlike systematic reviews, scoping reviews do not typically involve meta-analysis. Instead, you’ll synthesize the findings descriptively. Organize the results into themes, categories, gaps, or frameworks to provide a clear overview of the evidence. Present your findings clearly using tables, charts, and narrative descriptions.

Use these tools and resources to conduct your scoping review effectively:

Scoping reviews are a powerful tool for exploring complex topics, mapping existing evidence, and identifying research gaps. They are used across a wide range of fields, from healthcare to education, environmental science, and technology. To help you understand how scoping reviews are applied in practice, here are some real-world examples of scoping reviews from various disciplines:

If you’re inspired by these examples and want to conduct your own scoping review, start by defining your research question and scope. Follow a structured methodology to ensure your review is rigorous and impactful. And don’t forget to share your findings to contribute to the advancement of knowledge in your field! You can use Litmaps to visualize, organize, and track the latest developments in your field with ease.
👉 Go to the Litmaps app and supercharge your scoping review today!

A scoping review is a valuable tool that helps you explore broad research topics, identify gaps in knowledge, and summarize existing evidence. Unlike systematic reviews, which provide in-depth answers to specific research questions, scoping reviews allow you to map the research landscape and guide future studies. By following a structured methodology, you ensure that your scoping review is transparent, reproducible, and useful for informing research, policy, and practice. Whether you are investigating an emerging area or seeking to understand the breadth of evidence on a topic, a scoping review empowers you to synthesize information and support informed decision-making. Whether you’re a seasoned researcher or a beginner, this guide equips you with the knowledge to conduct a scoping review effectively.
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