School of Social Work Faculty Publications

Scoping Reviews

Document Type

Response or Comment

Publication Date

4-10-2026

Abstract

Scoping reviews are a form of evidence synthesis that comprehensively explores and summarizes existing information to answer carefully constructed research questions. The method has evolved from a simple five-stage framework to a rigorous, iterative research design that includes nine stages within the following frames: protocol, search, analysis, and report. While much work has been done to develop the methodology, some evolution continues, and researchers are encouraged to follow the most up-to-date guidelines. Conduct and reporting guidelines provide research teams with evidence-based standards to ensure high-quality reviews. Because of their rigorous nature, scoping reviews require a significant time commitment and a team of researchers with various areas of expertise, including in methodology, subject matter, literature searching, and analysis. Though scoping reviews are not recommended for direct application to policy or practice like a systematic review might be, their value lies in their utility: They can be used to explore diverse knowledge sources to map concepts and identify gaps in existing literature. They can be used to inform future research, determine whether a systematic review on a topic is feasible, and provide background context and suggestions for decision-making. As such, scoping reviews provide an important foundation for evidence-based practice in social work.

Comments

© NASW Press and Oxford University Press

Publication Title

Encyclopedia of Social Work

DOI

10.1093/acrefore/9780199975839.013.1704

Link to Full Text

Share

COinS