Scoping review overview — Scoping review

Scope through evidence mapping

Flow diagram

Steps

Define scope

Define the review question, intended decision and eligibility framework. Use PICO for intervention comparisons, PCC for scoping, or test/condition/clinical-role definitions for accuracy reviews.

Protocol

Write the planned eligibility, search, selection, extraction, appraisal and synthesis methods before conducting the review. Record registration where eligible, or a public protocol location, and date subsequent amendments.

Search

Choose information sources and supplementary search routes, retain reproducible strategies and dates, and plan an update search before final interpretation.

Select sources

Pilot eligibility criteria, record reviewer decisions and resolve disagreements. Link multiple reports to their underlying study or evidence source.

Chart information

Pilot fields, definitions and source-location capture. Verify important entries and retain study/report linkage. Use linked detailed flows for extraction and any associated appraisal.

Map evidence

Organize charted evidence into explicit categories and displays. Define the counting unit and show overlapping category membership where relevant.

Identify gaps

Identify underrepresented questions, populations and settings within the search scope. Distinguish a gap in located evidence from evidence of no effect.

Report

Report methods, deviations, selection, findings and limitations using the relevant reporting guidance. Separate planned table shells from verified results and archive reproducible materials where permitted.