Skip to Main Content

Scoping Reviews in Social Work

This guide is dedicated to scoping reviews in social work and the social sciences.

About Scoping Reviews in Social Work

A scoping review is a thorough analysis of studies on a topic. Scoping reviews are a critical exploration of literature, using some inclusion and exclusion criteria. As we write a scoping review, we are: 

  • Focusing on a broad or focused research question
  • Providing and overview of primary research
  • Identifying the existing evidence relating to a topic without providing a clinical answer
  • Crafting a detailed overview of existing research
  • Demonstrating understanding of big conversations related to our topic 
  • Performing searches in at least one database
  • Identifying gaps in scholarship related to our topic

Scoping reviews often:

  • Take weeks to months to complete
  • Are written individually or as part of a team

Relevant Resources

Systematic Review vs. Scoping Review

Librarian