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Scoping Reviews

Library guide for the development of scoping reviews, their associated systematic searches, and required reporting.

How to search

JBI recommends following a three-step search strategy:

Number 1 icon The first step is an initial limited search of at least two appropriate online databases relevant to the topic (such as MEDLINE and Scopus).
Number 2 icon This initial search is then followed by an analysis of the text words contained in the title and abstract of retrieved papers, and of the index terms (subject headings) used to describe the articles. A second "systematic search" using all identified keywords and index terms should then be undertaken across all included databases.
Number 3 icon Third, the reference list of identified reports and articles should be searched for additional studies. This stage may examine the reference lists of all identified studies or examine solely the reference lists of the studies that have been selected from full-text and/or included in the review.

-JBI Manual for Evidence Synthesis, Chapter 11.2.5

This page explains how to undertake the second step: the systematic database searches.

Note: When undertaking a scoping review, it is important to also search the unpublished, or non-traditionally published resources - called grey literature.

When searching for a scoping review:

  • it is best practice to search using both subject headings and keyword searches.
  • always search one database at a time.
  • always search one concept at a time.
     

Remember: a scoping search is an iterative process! You will need to constantly evaluate, validate, and verify your search results.

Your search strategy should be:

  •  comprehensive
  •   transparent
  •   replicable
  •   validated
  •   unbiased

The search process

Step 1: Map your research question

A tightly focused research question is key to your search. Make sure you have mapped your review questions using PCC, and refined the parameters in a clearly articulated protocol. You can then use your PCC breakdown to build your search strategy. For each term, list all relevant alternative keywords and relevant subject headings, using Medical Subject Headings (MeSH).

Learn more about this process by watching the video below.

Video Length: 4:58
  • Your primary review questions will inform your search strategy.
  • First, begin mapping out the main concepts in your question using a framework, like PCC.
  • Let's look at the example questions:
    What nurse-led models of care are used to manage chronic disease in high-income countries?
    What chronic diseases have been managed using nurse-led models in high-income countries?
  • Using the PCC framework:
    • Participants: NA
    • Concept: chronic diseases / nurse-led models of care
    • Context: high-income countries
  • Next, explore alternative terms for each of your PCC elements.
  • Consider different terminology, spelling, singular and plural words, generic and specific terms, acronyms, and words with/without hyphens.
  • You may need to spend some time doing preliminary searches of the literature to identify more alternative keywords. This is important as not all authors will refer to the same idea in the same words.
  • You can enhance your search by using truncation, wildcards, and phrase searching. 
  • Next, use MEDLINE to explore the relevant Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) for each of your main concepts.
  • Once you have mapped your search, run it in MEDLINE.
  • To run your search, you need to connect your keywords and concepts:
    • AND is used to connect different concepts.
    • OR is used to connect alternative keywords for the same concept.
  • Remember: searching takes time - you'll need to evaluate and validate your search to ensure it is comprehensive.

Learn more:

Step 2: Choose where to search

To cover the published literature you need to search a range of key databases. These should be detailed in your protocol. Remember that you should also consider searching unpublished or alternatively published materials, called grey literature.

Learn more about which databases to search by watching the video below.

Video Length: 3:56

  • The search strategy for a scoping review should aim to be comprehensive in order to identify published and unpublished resources.
  • The JBI recommends starting with an initial search of at least 2 databases relevant to the review topic, followed by an analysis of both the text words contained in the title and abstract and the subject headings used in retrieved papers.
  • Using all identified keywords and subject headings, a comprehensive search can then be developed.
  • You’ll need to search a range of databases. The databases you choose to search will depend on your review questions.
  • Primary databases are comprehensive indices of research literature and contain references to a wide range of original research.
  • As a general rule, you should at least search MEDLINE and Embase for your scoping review.
  • If your question relates to allied health or nursing, you should also search Emcare.
  • It is also recommended to search multidisciplinary databases such as Web of Science or Scopus, as these cover a broad range of subject areas.
  • Secondary databases contain articles such as systematic reviews or meta-analyses, where authors have appraised research studies using set criteria.
  • As a general rule, you should also search secondary databases such as the Cochrane Library and the Joanna Briggs Institute.
  • Only ever search one database at a time. This is important because you will need to report how many resources you found in each database.
  • You may also choose to contact authors of primary studies for further information or additional publications. This should be stated in your protocol.

Learn more:

Step 3: Run your search in MEDLINE

It's a good idea to build your initial search in MEDLINE. Be sure to use both keywords and Medical Subject Headings (MeSH).

For each PCC element:

  1. Enter the relevant subject heading/s (MeSH). If you have more than one, give each its own line.
  2. Enter your keyword line/s.
  3. Then join these lines to make an 'overall set line' for that PCC element, by combining them with OR. ​
  4. Repeat this for each PCC element.
  5. Finally, combine all of your 'overall set lines' together with AND. This will find results that address all of your PCC elements.

Video Length: 6:18

This video demonstrates a PICO-style question but you can follow the same steps for your question regardless of the framework.

MEDLINE is usually the first database you will search for your health systematic or scoping review. The MEDLINE search strategy is often used as the 'master' search strategy.

New features and additional recommendations: you can now also use the Term Finder to explore MeSH; check narrower headings in all thesaurus 'branches' before exploding headings; you can leave your keywords in the default .mp set of fields but it may better refine your search to specify fields e.g. .ti,ab; you can now email results to yourself or colleagues.

Step 4: Run your search in other databases

After completing your MEDLINE search, you should run it in other databases. Use the same search as your MEDLINE search, tweaked only as much as necessary for it to work in the new database. This means you may need to:

  • remap subject headings, or
  • remove subject headings if the database does not have such a feature.
     

If you discover new terms in your additional database searching, these should be added to all searches to maintain consistency and comprehensiveness. This may mean revisiting earlier databases to look up any additional subject headings.


If changing to a database on a different interface, also:

  • check your special symbols (truncation and wildcards), and
  • check whether double quotes are required around phrases (e.g. "quality of life").

Learn more:

Step 5: Review your results

Review your results for relevancy by considering how well each paper matches:

  • your research questions.
  • your scoping review protocol.
  • your search terms.

 
Test your search for comprehensiveness

From your 'initial limited' searching, you would have identified some key articles that you expect to find as part of your review. Use these key articles to test your search's comprehensiveness. Are these articles appearing in your search results? If not, are they:

  • in a journal that is indexed by that database? 
  • picked up when you searched other databases?
  • picked up and then removed by a particular search set?

This can help you to identify additional terms for your search.

 
Also make sure you have:

  1. ​translated your question into search terms.
  2. identified all databases you need to search.
  3. checked for spelling mistakes/typos/syntax errors.
  4. been comprehensive with your search terms.
  5. looked for subject headings for your main concepts.
  6. run any subject headings used as keywords also.

  7. checked your search combinations (and, or).
     

Use Table 2: Elements for the peer review of electronic search strategies checklist (p. 153):