Practical Guidance in the Conduct of a Scoping Review: Insights from Experience in the College of Public Health, University of the Philippines Manila

  • Carl Abelardo T. Antonio Department of Health Policy and Administration, College of Public Health, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines
  • Arianna Maever L. Amit College of Public Health, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines
  • Ma. Sophia Graciela L. Reyes College of Public Health, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines
  • Kim L. Cochon JC School of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
  • Jonathan P. Guevarra Department of Health Promotion and Education, College of Public Health, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines
  • Amiel Nazer C. Bermudez Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Public Health, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines
  • Chelseah Denise H. Torres College of Public Health, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines
  • Azar G. Agbon College of Public Health, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines
Keywords: Scoping review, Review [Publication Type], Methods, Philippines, evidence synthesis

Abstract

Objective. We aimed to provide practical guidance on the scoping review process, building on the methodologies and general steps outlined by Arksey and O’Malley, Levac et al. and The Joanna Briggs Institute.

Methods. We reviewed the methodologies of three scoping studies conducted by the authors in the College of Public Health, University of the Philippines Manila between 2016 and 2017. For each project, we outlined the steps, tools utilized, good practices performed, challenges encountered, and recommendations for improving the scoping review process in relation to existing guidelines. We compared the similarities and differences across the three reviews and guidelines to come up with a list of good practices and recommendations.

Results. We propose an expanded 10-step and iterative framework based on our analysis of three scoping studies:

  1. Define your research question; 2. Specify your research statement according to population, concept, and context;
  2. Prepare the necessary tools, forms, and software packages; 4. Assemble your expert panel and/or consultants;
  3. Develop your search strategy; 6. Implement the search strategy and retrieve identified studies; 7. Screen and assess studies for inclusion in the scoping review; 8. Chart the data; 9. Synthesize your results; and 10. Prepare your final report.

Conclusion. Scoping reviews as a method of evidence synthesis are increasingly gaining popularity among researchers due to the scope of what can be reviewed in a relatively short amount of time. With only three scoping studies informing our proposed methodology, other issues and challenges in the conduct of a scoping review may have been missed in the expanded framework presented in this paper. We suggest future studies to apply existing scoping review methodologies, to further enhance this rapidly evolving framework in research, policy, and practice.

Published
2021-10-25
How to Cite
1.
Antonio CAT, Amit AML, Reyes MSGL, Cochon KL, Guevarra JP, Bermudez ANC, Torres CDH, Agbon AG. Practical Guidance in the Conduct of a Scoping Review: Insights from Experience in the College of Public Health, University of the Philippines Manila. Acta Med Philipp [Internet]. 2021Oct.25 [cited 2024Mar.29];55(7). Available from: https://actamedicaphilippina.upm.edu.ph/index.php/acta/article/view/3070
Section
Articles

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