Scoping review
What evidence exists, how is it characterized, and where are the gaps?
When to use this project
Use this starter to map concepts, methods, populations, settings or evidence types. Frame the scope with population, concept and context (PCC); eligible sources can extend beyond intervention trials.
How it differs
The main objective is mapping rather than estimating treatment benefit. A gap means evidence was not located within the review’s scope; it does not demonstrate that an intervention is ineffective.
Decisions before you start
- Specify eligible source types and how grey literature will be located. Record restrictions and their rationale.
- Pilot data charting and document iterations, including whether previously charted sources need recoding.
- Decide whether critical appraisal or stakeholder consultation serves the question; neither should appear as an unexplained mandatory effectiveness-review step.
How the flows work together
Each flow below links to its diagram, steps and tables. Flow order organizes the project; it does not imply that all work is strictly sequential. Data assessment, analysis planning and protocol refinement may inform one another.
1. Scoping review overview
Overview · Scope through evidence mapping
Use this overview to state the purpose and link to detailed decisions. Keep a versioned protocol and decision register, and add evidence references for the rationale.
2. Search and source selection
Selection · Identify relevant evidence sources
Use source-of-evidence terminology where eligible material extends beyond research studies. Document PCC and source types. Critical appraisal is purpose-dependent rather than an automatic treatment-effect step.
3. Data charting
Data · Extract consistent source characteristics
Charting may be iterative. The closing step versions definitions rather than implying that changes are prohibited. Revisit earlier sources after material coding changes.
4. Evidence mapping
Reporting · Organize findings and research gaps
Specify whether counts refer to sources, studies, reports or concepts. Multiple category membership can create overlapping counts. Mapping frequency is not evidence of clinical benefit.
Equations and statistical interpretation
These explanations describe notation and assumptions. Flow does not calculate these values.
Descriptive mapping proportion
nₖ is the number of included sources assigned to category k; N is the explicitly defined source denominator.
If a source belongs to several categories, percentages need not sum to 100%. Source frequency does not measure effectiveness or certainty.
Published example
Kueper et al. (2020), Artificial Intelligence and Primary Care Research: A Scoping Review
A published scoping review that maps a research field and reports use of PRISMA-ScR. Inspect the eligibility definitions and charted characteristics.
This publication illustrates a study design, not an endorsement of every method or a reproduction of its results. Follow its protocol, supplement and update history when studying the example.
Hypothetical scenario
A research funder wants to map how artificial intelligence has been studied in primary care and identify settings with little implementation research.
- Scoping review overview: Set PCC and mapping questions, publish a protocol, and state the intended users of the map.
- Search and source selection: Search databases and relevant non-journal sources, then screen using explicit criteria.
- Data charting: Chart setting, AI task, study design, validation stage and implementation status with a consistent coding dictionary.
- Evidence mapping: Produce a task-by-setting evidence map and explain gaps in relation to search coverage and source limitations.
Deliver a populated protocol, decision log, data specification, and planned outputs. Enter numerical findings only after analysis and verification. Keep decisions made before seeing results distinguishable from later amendments.
Sources
Source check: 2026-09-17. Record the version of each reporting or appraisal tool used in your actual protocol.
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