Information anxiety across populations in the VUCA era: a scoping review protocol

Information anxiety (IA) describes the distress caused by the gap between the information individuals have and what they feel they should possess. In the current digital environment-marked by volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity-IA has expanded beyond traditional academic and workplace contexts to become a pervasive concern across populations. Mapping the empirical evidence on IA is critical to understanding its prevalence, determinants, impacts and coping strategies.

This protocol outlines a scoping review guided by the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology and reported in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). We will systematically search EBSCOhost, Scopus and Web of Science for peer-reviewed empirical studies published from 1 January 2000 to the planned end date of 5 November 2025. Two reviewers will independently screen records, with a third resolving discrepancies. Data extraction will be conducted using a customised tool, and results will be synthesised narratively and visually, structured around bibliometric characteristics, the Population, Concept, Context framework and a Stimulus-Organism-Response model. Subgroup analyses will be conducted across populations, disciplines and regions.-ScR ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: As this study is based on secondary analysis of published data, ethical approval is not required. Findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journals and academic conferences.