Conducting Scoping Reviews to Advance Knowledge in Understudied and Emerging Research Areas

Background

Systematic reviews and meta-analyses are well known tools for synthesizing and advancing research areas; however, they may not be suitable for bodies of literature that lack uniform conceptual definitions, are new or loosely organized, rely heavily on qualitative methods, or lack clear effect sizes (e.g., research involving emerging social issues related to equity and justice). Scoping reviews offer a useful alternative to help researchers map the key concepts and range of evidence in a research area to better understand a field's breadth and depth, and identify research gaps (Levac et al., 2010; Arksey & O'Malley, 2003). They are particularly suited for examining understudied (e.g., microaggressions) or complex, heterogeneous topics (e.g., social justice).  

Scoping reviews can address broad topics and include both empirical and non-empirical work, and study samples ranging in quality and approach (Arksey & O'Malley, 2003).  Despite their benefits and proliferation in medicine and other fields, scoping reviews are under-utilized in social work. This workshop provides an opportunity for researchers to become more familiar with this useful research approach.

Workshop Content & Pedagogical Techniques

This workshop will begin with an overview of scoping reviews, their purpose, and comparison to other review approaches. Benefits with regard to advancing social work knowledge will be discussed.  Next, presenters will describe the steps in conducting scoping reviews: (1) research question development, (2) a priori protocol development (e.g., inclusion/exclusion criteria, comprehensive search strategy, data extraction tool development), (3) search strategy implementation, (4) primary and secondary abstract/title screening, (5) full manuscript review and data extraction using a priori forms with two reviewers, and (6) collating, summarizing and reporting data (Tricco et al., 2016).  A recent LGBTQ microaggression-focused scoping review will be presented as a case example to illustrate the review process and the unexpected challenges, decision points, and lessons learned at each step.  Presenters will also share tips for project management, including strategies for conducting a scoping review with a geographically dispersed team.  Two experiential activities will be used, including (1) an exercise in determining when a scoping review is the right tool and (2) a problem-solving task engaging participants in decision points that can emerge during this iterative process.  The workshop will conclude with a discussion with participants about the utility of scoping reviews for diverse social work topics and research areas. Presenters will share handouts and templates to assist participants in conducting future scoping reviews.  

Learning Outcomes & Implications

Workshop participants will learn (a) when a scoping review is appropriate, (b) the steps for conducting reviews, and (c) how to plan for and address challenges and decision points that may emerge during the review process.  These skills and the provided resources can enhance social work researchers' capacity to engage in thorough reviews of complex literatures as they work to address social work's grand challenges and society's most pressing, but understudied social issues.