On this page, we provide a list of useful resources for understanding scoping reviews. These resources have been divided into three different types:
i) peer-reviewed journal papers on the topic of scoping reviews and how to perform them,
ii) university library guides that are particularly useful for summarizing the topics covered in the journal papers as well as a repository of other resources to explore on the topic, and
iii) examples of pivotal scoping studies that have been conducted in the research literature.
You may also explore our own guide on how to write a scoping review which is based on the manual provided by the Joana Briggs Institute.
Scoping reviews in the research literature
| Title | Author(s) | Journal | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Systematic review or scoping review? Guidance for authors when choosing between a systematic or scoping review approach. | Munn Z, Peters M, Stern C, et al. | BMC Medical Research Methodology. 2018;18:143. | Choosing between systematic review or scoping review. |
| Guidance for Conducting Systematic Scoping Reviews. | Peters M, Godfrey C, Khalil H, et al. | International Journal of Evidence Based Healthcare 2015;13:141-146. | General guidance. |
| Scoping Reviews: establishing the role of the librarian. | Morris M, Boruff J, and G Gore. | J Med Lib Assoc. 2016;104(4):346-353. | Librarian focus. |
| An Evidence-Based Approach to Scoping Reviews. | Khalil H, Peters M, Godfrey C, et al. | Worldviews on Evidence-Based Nursing. 2016;00:0,1-6. | Using a EBR approach. |
| Scoping Studies: towards a methodological framework. | Arksey H. and O'Malley L. | International Journal of Social Research Methodology, 2005;8(1):19-32. | Pivotal paper. |
| A Scoping Review of Scoping Reviews: advancing the approach and enhancing the consistency. | Pham MT, Rajic A, Greig JD, et al. | Research Synthesis Methods. 2014;5(4):371-385. | Meta study. |
| Scoping Studies: Advancing the Methodology. | Levac D, Colquhoun H, O'Brien K. | Implementation Science. 2010; 5(1). | Focus on methodology. |
| Enhancing the scoping study methodology: a large, inter-professional team's experience with Arksey and O'Malley's framework. | Daudt, H.M., van Mossel, C. and Scott, S.J. | BMC medical research methodology, 13(1), pp.1-9. | Builds on another paper. |
| What are scoping studies? A review of the nursing literature. | Davis, K., Drey, N. and Gould, D., 2009. | International journal of nursing studies, 46(10), pp.1386-1400. | The basics. |
Library guides on scoping reviews
| Title | Author/Librarian | University |
|---|---|---|
| "How to" Resources for Literature Reviews | John W. Scott Library | University of Alberta |
| ScR overview - Scoping Reviews | Micah Peters et al. | University of South Australia |
| Handbooks and manuals on Systematic Reviews in the Health Sciences | Health Sciences Faculty Librarian | Curtins University |
| Systematic Reviews: Before you begin | Librarians Library Engagement | The University of Western Australia |
| Systematic reviews and more | Caitlin Carter | University of Waterloo |
| Systematic Reviews, Scoping Reviews, and other Knowledge Syntheses | Schulich Librarians | McGill University |
| Systematic Reviews in the Health Sciences: Getting Started | Yingting Zhang | Rutgers University |
| What is a Scoping Review? | Stephanie Roth | Temple University |
Examples of scoping studies
| Title | Author(s) | Journal |
|---|---|---|
| Landscape and well-being: a scoping study on the health-promoting impact of outdoor environments. | Abraham, A., Sommerhalder, K. and Abel, T. | International journal of public health, 55(1), pp.59-69. |
| Bringing a European perspective to the health human resources debate: a scoping study. | Kuhlmann, E., Batenburg, R., Groenewegen, P.P. and Larsen, C. | Health Policy, 110(1), pp.6-13. |
| Scoping the field: services for carers of people with mental health problems. | Arksey, H | Health & social care in the community, 11(4), pp.335-344. |
| A scoping review of rapid review methods. | Tricco, A.C., Antony, J., Zarin, W., Strifler, L., Ghassemi, M., Ivory, J., Perrier, L., Hutton, B., Moher, D. and Straus, S.E. | BMC medicine, 13(1), pp.1-15. |
| The use of flipped classrooms in higher education: A scoping review. | O'Flaherty, J. and Phillips, C. | The internet and higher education, 25, pp.85-95. |
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