CommentaryScoping reviews: time for clarity in definition, methods, and reporting
Section snippets
Clarity in label, definition, and methodology
We offer three recommendations.
- 1.
We recommend that everybody adopt consistent use of the terms “scoping review” or “scoping study” when conducting this type of synthesis.
- 2.
We recommend the use of the following definition:
A scoping review or scoping study is a form of knowledge synthesis that addresses an exploratory research question aimed at mapping key concepts, types of evidence, and gaps in research related to a defined area or field by systematically searching, selecting, and synthesizing
A call for reporting guidance
The Enhancing the QUAlity and Transparency Of health Research (EQUATOR) Network is an international initiative for the promotion of transparent and accurate reporting of research studies. Through the use of reporting guidelines, developed using established EQUATOR processes and housed on their Web site, it would be possible to critically appraise published scoping reviews and would increase the reproducibility, completeness, and transparency of reporting the methods and results of scoping
Conclusion
Knowledge synthesis is important in health care research and practice because it can make sense of abundant volumes of primary research. Scoping reviews are an increasingly popular methodology to synthesize evidence that can be influential for policy and practice. However, variability in labeling, definition, methodology, and reporting currently exists, which limits their potential. We provide recommendations for a consistent label, definition, and methodology. Reporting guidance for the
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Conflict of interest: No conflicts of interest, financial or otherwise, have been identified for the authors of this article.