Mary Lou Klem, PhD, MLIS
Assistant Director of Advanced Information Support and Engagement Initiatives
klem@pitt.edu
Ask yourself:
What specific research questions do I want to address?
How much time do I have to work on the review?
Do I have a team to assist me?
How much of the published literature do I need to review?
Does my lit search need to be reproducible?
Provides an overview of a topic, highlights important or critical aspects of a topic, or traces the historical development of a topic or concept
Methodology is not standardized
Journals have varying requirements for formatting and documentation (check before submitting)
Collins JA, Fauser BC. Balancing the strengths of systematic and narrative reviews. Hum Reprod Update. 2005 Mar-Apr; 11(2): 103-4.
Systematically examines the range, extent or nature of literature on a topic or question
Identifies gaps in existing literature or the value of undertaking a systematic review
Typically does not include critical appraisal of included studies, but otherwise time and effort requirements are similar to a systematic review
Peters, M.D.J., Marnie, C., Colquhoun, H., et al. Scoping reviews: reinforcing and advancing the methodology and application. Systematic Reviews 10, 263 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13643-021-01821-3
Munn, Z., Peters, M.D.J., Stern, C. et al. Systematic review or scoping review? Guidance for authors when choosing between a systematic or scoping review approach. BMC Med Res Methodol 18, 143 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12874-018-0611-x
Pham, M., Rajić, A., Greig, J., et al. A scoping review of scoping reviews: advancing the approach and enhancing the consistency. Research Synthesis Methods 5(4), 371–385 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1002/jrsm.1123
Synthesizes the results of existing systematic reviews on a topic or question
Smith V, Devane D, Begley CM, Clarke M. Methodology in conducting a systematic review of systematic reviews of healthcare interventions. BMC Med Res Methodol. 2011 Feb 3; 11(1):15.
Appropriate for emerging questions requiring quick answers
Systematic review methods are used, but in an abbreviated or simplified format
Methodological shortcuts must be noted in final manuscript
Garrity C, et al. Cochrane Rapid Reviews Methods Group offers evidence-informed guidance to conduct rapid reviews. J Clin Epidemiol. 2021; 130:13.
Tricco AC, et al. A scoping review of rapid review methods. BMC Med. 2015 Sep 16; 13:224.