Enhancing the scoping study methodology: a large, inter-professional team's experience with Arksey and O'Malley's...

Area of Science:

• Systematic Reviews and Evidence Synthesis
• Research Methodology

Background:

• Scoping studies are widely used but lack a standardized definition and framework.
• The Arksey and O'Malley framework (2005) is a foundational methodology for scoping studies.
• Subsequent work by Levac et al. and this paper aim to advance the scoping study methodology.

Purpose of the Study:

• To enhance the Arksey and O'Malley framework for conducting scoping studies.
• To discuss the applicability of the framework to different research questions.
• To share practical experiences and lessons learned from applying the framework.

Main Methods:

• Building upon the Arksey and O'Malley and Levac et al. frameworks.
• Applying the framework with a large, inter-professional research team.
• Analyzing the strengths, challenges, and lessons learned during the scoping study process.

Main Results:

• Comparative questions (e.g., between interventions) are most suitable for scoping studies.
• Flexibility in clarifying concepts and revising research questions is crucial.
• Engaging a large, inter-professional team offers significant benefits in knowledge breadth and efficiency.

Conclusions:

• The enhanced framework clarifies the methodology and enriches the definition of scoping studies.
• Recommendations include assessing study quality, piloting the method, and fostering effective team communication.
• The benefits of using a multidisciplinary team outweigh the challenges, particularly regarding consensus and resource management.