Goal
Preliminary assessment of potential size and scope of available research literature. Aims to identify nature and extent of research evidence.
What
Systematically map the literature on a topic by identifying key concepts, theories and sources of evidence that inform practice in the field.
Where
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Who
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How
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Pros
comprehensive overview
range of sources
feasibility of a SLR
Cons
no quality assessment
lack of depth in overview
blind spots
Example
Weeks, L. C. & Strudsholm, T. A scopingreview of research on complementary and alternativemedicine (CAM) and the mass media: lookingback, moving forward. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2008, 19(8), 43.