Table 1 General comparisons between scoping and systematic reviews

Research question

Typically focused, narrow parameters

Broad

Selection criteria

Pre-defined

Can be developed post hoc using an iterative approach [16, 18]

Quality assessment

Filters applied

Quality filters not often applied in initial stages

Data extraction

Pre-defined, a priori and generally very detailed. Usually well documented in a protocol ahead of the review process

Less structured. Data extraction process typically ‘evolves’ as a part of the scoping review process

Evidence synthesis

Quantitative (sometimes mixed)

Typically qualitative

Other

Often described as a process of mapping existing literature and used to identify gaps in evidence