Conducting Scoping Reviews: Practical Insights for Early Career Health Researchers

The increasing variety of literature synthesis methods and the evolving guidelines for conducting them can be overwhelming for early-career researchers. While these guidelines provide a structured approach, they may contain hidden challenges and nuances that only become apparent through practical application. The aim of this paper is to provide supplementary guidance based on the latest available guidelines and two PhD candidates’ experiences of conducting scoping reviews. The paper outlines what a scoping review is, when to use a scoping review and summarises the most recent guidelines for conducting such reviews. We describe five steps of the scoping review process: 1) identifying the research question; 2) scoping review protocol; 3) identifying relevant studies and literature; 4) selecting studies to be included in the review; and 5) data extraction, synthesis and results presentation. We share our learnings, including the use of Rayyan and Covidence software for the systematic management of literature. Though not presenting new methodologies, this paper provides practical advice on how to apply the scoping review methodology to support its effective and rigorous implementation. Te Reo Māori Translation Te Kawe i ngā Arotake Tuhinga: He Māramatanga Āwhina Mahi mō ngā Kairangahau Hauora Tau Tuatahi Ngā Ariā Matua Tērā anō te huhua o ngā tikanga tuitui rangatū tuhinga, me ngā aratohu mō te kawe, ā, ka tauwhare mai pea hei taumahatanga mō ngā kairangahau tau tuatahi. Ahakoa nā ēnei aratohu i hora mai ētahi ritenga nahanaha, kei roto pea ētahi wero me ētahi aronga e kore e kitea wawetia, hei te hoatutanga tūturu i te ao mahi kātahi anō ka kitea. Ko te whāinga o tēnei tuhinga he hoatu aratohu tāpiri i takea mai i ngā aratohu mohoa, me ngā wheako o ētahi kaiaruaru tohu kairangi i te kawenga i ngā arotake tuhinga. Kei tēnei tuhinga ka kitea he aha rawa tēnei mea te tuhinga arotake i te whānuitanga o ngā taunakitanga wātea , āhea me whakamahi i taua momo arotake, ā, kei konei hoki he whakarāpopototanga o te kawe i aua tū arotake. Ka whakamāramatia e mātou ngā hipanga e rima o te hātepe arotake i te whānuitanga o ngā taunakitanga wātea: 1) te tautohu i te pātai rangahau; 2) te kawe o te taua tū arotake; 3) te tautohu i ngā rangahau me ngā tuhinga tauhāngai; 4) te kōwhiri i ngā rangahau me whakauru ki te arotake; me 5) te kounu raraunga, te tuitui raraunga me te whakaatu i ngā kitenga ki te ao. Ka tiria e mātou ā mātou kitenga, tae atu ki te whakamahinga o ngā pūmanawa Rayyan me Covidence mō te whakahaere nahanaha i ngā tuhinga. Ahakoa kāore i te tāpae tikanga mahi hou, ko tā tēnei pepa he tuku tohutohu whai take mō te hoatutanga o ngā tikanga mahi arotake tuhinga hei tautoko i tōna whakatinanatanga whai hua, tōtika rawa hoki.