What is Systematic Review?
A systematic literature review identifies and evaluates research to answer a formulated question. It is a thorough, transparent search performed over multiple works of literature that can be replicated and produced by other researchers. It involves planning a search strategy with a specific focus on answering a defined question. Before doing the systematic review, the criteria are outlined in a clearly defined protocol.
What is Scoping Review?
Scoping Reviews serve to identify the existing literature on a specific research questions. They clarify concepts in the literature and define gaps in knowledge.
A scoping review is a first assessment of the size and scope of the research literature, according to Grant and Booth (2009). Research evidence consists of ongoing research, which is usually used to identify its nature and extent.
What are the differences between a systematic review and a scoping review?
While scoping differs from systematic reviews, it should not be mistaken for traditional literature reviews. By contrasting the characteristics of traditional literature reviews, we may discover what makes scoping and systematic reviews best for a purpose.
Systematic Reviews: You can opt for a systematic review to confirm whether or not the literature review is based on relevant evidence. Also, to address any uncertainty or variation in practice that may be occurring.
A systematic review can also reveal gaps, deficiencies, and trends in the current evidence, which can help to inform future research in the area. It is helpful to:
- Uncover the international evidence
- Confirm current literature review practice/ address any variation/ identify new practices
- Identify and inform areas for future research
- Identify and investigate conflicting results
- Produce statements to guide decision-making
Scoping Reviews: Scoping reviews are most helpful when a body of literature has not yet been fully reviewed or shows a large or complex nature, not suited for systematic review. The general purpose of conducting scoping reviews is to identify the available evidence.
Here are a few purposes for conducting a scoping review:
- To determine the types of available evidence in a given field
- To clarify critical concepts/ definitions in the literature
- To examine how research is done on a specific subject
- Identification of key features or factors of a concept
- As a precursor to a systematic review
- To identify and analyze knowledge gaps
Source: Temple University
How to determine whether to conduct a systematic review or a scoping review?
Before choosing between a systematic and a scoping review, you should carefully consider what you are trying to accomplish through the literature review? An effective systematic review is likely the most suitable approach when you need to answer questions regarding feasibility, suitability, or effectiveness.
However, there are times when authors do not wish to ask single or precise questions. Instead, they are more interested in distinguishing between specific characteristics/concepts in papers or studies. In these cases, a scoping review would be more appropriate.
Understanding the difference between scoping and systematic reviews for the review question is crucial. As opposed to traditional systematic reviews, scoping reviews are broader in scope. It also provides a useful alternative to literature reviews when clarification around a concept or theory is required.
Why do we use scoping review instead of systematic review?
Scoping reviews are conducted based on the following scenarios:
Clarify key concepts contained in the literature
In scoping reviews, definitions used in the literature are examined and clarified. For instance, Schaink and colleagues conducted a scoping review of the literature for descriptions of patient complexity.
The authors did a review of healthcare databases and presented an overview of complexity. The scoping review results helped the authors develop a complexity framework to assist in understanding patient complexity.
Examining research methodology
A scoping review is a useful tool for examining the design and conduct of research on a particular topic.
Example: A scoping review by Callary and colleagues examined the design of studies estimating a type of hip replacement wear. The review aimed to survey the literature and determine how data is relevant to measuring hip replacement wear.
The scoping review revealed that the methods to consider the wear varied immensely with different researchers' approaches. The results led to the authors suggesting standardization in sizes for future research in this field.
Analyzing and Identifying Knowledge Gaps
Typically, scoping reviews alone are not conducted to identify and analyze knowledge gaps in a particular area. You must thoroughly examine the available information to examine and present what has not been researched or reported.
In new fields or topics, scoping reviews are a useful method of reviewing the evidence rapidly. Conducting a scoping review is often motivated by identifying and analyzing knowledge gaps.
Conclusion
A scoping review is one of the myriad tools in the arsenal of literature reviews. Scoping reviews still require rigorous and transparent methods, just as it does for systematic reviews, to ensure that the results are reliable. With clear guidance regarding whether to conduct a scoping or a systematic review, we hope that you can master your literature review and improve your research
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FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
1: Which is easier to perform — systematic review or scoping review?
YScoping reviews are usually simpler to do than systematic reviews. This is because scoping reviews typically involve a broader search strategy and do not require as strict inclusion and exclusion criteria as systematic reviews.
2: How long does it take to complete a scoping review?
The whole process, including creating a research question, searching for literature, analyzing data, and writing, can take up to 18 months.
3: When should I choose the scoping review methodology?
Scoping reviews are useful when you need to explore a broad research question, map existing literature on a topic, or identify gaps in knowledge across various study designs and sources.
4: What are the disadvantages of employing scoping review methodology?
Scoping reviews offer broad overviews but lack depth and quality assessment, which potentially leads to biased selection and inconclusive findings. Additionally, they are time-consuming might overlook relevant evidence.
5: How should I create a search strategy for a scoping review?
To create a search for a scoping review, brainstorm keywords related to your topic, search relevant databases, and refine your search based on the results you find.
6: Can I include systematic reviews in a scoping review?
It's not advised to include systematic reviews in a scoping review, as they are usually regarded as secondary studies and may not align well with the objectives of a scoping review.
