This project is led by Dr Aoife O’Mahony and is funded by Evidence Synthesis Ireland’s Study Within a Review Award.  Aoife will collaborate with Dr Danielle Pollock (University of Adelaide), Dr Bianca Albers (University of Zurich) and Professor Justin Presseau (University of Ottawa and Ottawa Hospital Research Institute), as well as Dr Sheena McHugh, Laura-Jane McCarthy, Dr Clair Haseldine, and Dr Ana Contreras Navarro from the Health Implementation Research Hub. 

Why are we doing this research?

Inspired by the conceptual, methodological and logistical challenges encountered while conducting a scoping review for the CUSTOMISE project, this study aims to investigate discrepancies between scoping reviews and their protocols, using the field of implementation science as an exemplar.   

By understanding the extent and nature of such discrepancies and the reasons for these, this study can inform guidance and training for researchers conducting scoping reviews, including writing protocols, enabling them to better anticipate and mitigate common challenges.  

What is involved?

Scoping reviews will be gathered from key implementation science journals, and those with available protocols will be assessed for methodological discrepancies between the protocol and the final review. Data will be extracted using a tool developed for this project, informed by relevant methodological and reporting guidelines for scoping reviews. Data will be coded to determine the rates, extent, and nature of such discrepancies, in addition to any justifications given for why these changes were made.  

Scoping review project outputs

There are currently no outputs to report.