Scoping Review

What is a scoping review protocol?

• It provides a map of the review for every stage of the process
• Documenting the plan or protocol prior to completing the review reduces the bias and improves the validity
• A registered protocol establishes provenance of the research project for the specific question

Why should a team register a protocol: 

• A protocol is considered best practice by the JBI Manual and the PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews
• Reduces bias by establishing your criteria a priori
• Much of the information within the protocol will assist with the article format and writing

Peters, M. D. J., Godfrey, C., McInerney, P., Khalil, H., Larsen, P., Marnie, C., Pollock, D., Tricco, A. C., & Munn, Z. (2022). Best practice guidance and reporting items for the development of scoping review protocols. JBI evidence synthesis, 20(4), 953–968. https://doi.org/10.11124/JBIES-21-00242

• JBI Manual - Scoping Review Protocol

  This chapter in the JBI Manual species what is required for a complete scoping review protocol.

• Best practice guidance and reporting items for the development of scoping review protocols

  The purpose of this article is to clearly describe how to develop a robust and detailed scoping review protocol, which is the first stage of the scoping review process. This paper provides detailed guidance and a checklist for prospective authors to ensure that their protocols adequately inform both the conduct of the ensuing review and their readership.

• JBI Scoping Review Protocol Template (Word Doc)

  • https://jbi.global/scoping-review-network/resources

• Evidence Synthesis Protocol Template

  This template provides a framework to guide the development of a protocol for systematic or scoping reviews.

• BMJ Open Science

  BMJ Open Science accepts protocols for publication.

• Open Science Framework

  OSF is the most common place to deposit protocols for scoping reviews. OSF is completely free to use.

• How to Create a Preregistration in OSF

  This page breaks down step-by-step how to register your protocol in OSF.