Which statement best contrasts scoping reviews and systematic reviews?

Which statement best contrasts scoping reviews and systematic reviews?

• A. Scoping reviews map breadth and identify gaps; systematic reviews answer specific questions with critical appraisal.
• B. Scoping reviews always include meta-analysis; systematic reviews do not.
• C. Scoping reviews assess risk of bias; systematic reviews are narrative summaries.
• D. Scoping reviews focus only on randomized trials.

Answer: (A)

The key idea here is the difference in purpose and depth between the two types of reviews. Scoping reviews are about map and scope: they aim to describe what literature exists on a broad topic, categorize study designs and concepts, and identify gaps or areas needing more research. They don’t typically assess the quality of every study in depth or provide a precise, aggregated answer to a particular question. Systematic reviews, on the other hand, target a specific question and follow rigorous, predefined methods to find all relevant studies, critically appraise their risk of bias, and synthesize the findings to provide a clear answer. When the data allow, they combine results quantitatively in a meta-analysis to estimate an overall effect. So the statement that best contrasts them reflects these differences: scoping reviews map breadth and identify gaps, while systematic reviews answer specific questions with critical appraisal. The other choices misstate features such as the routine use of meta-analysis in scoping reviews, the role of risk-of-bias assessment, or the types of studies included.

The key idea here is the difference in purpose and depth between the two types of reviews. Scoping reviews are about map and scope: they aim to describe what literature exists on a broad topic, categorize study designs and concepts, and identify gaps or areas needing more research. They don’t typically assess the quality of every study in depth or provide a precise, aggregated answer to a particular question.

Systematic reviews, on the other hand, target a specific question and follow rigorous, predefined methods to find all relevant studies, critically appraise their risk of bias, and synthesize the findings to provide a clear answer. When the data allow, they combine results quantitatively in a meta-analysis to estimate an overall effect.

So the statement that best contrasts them reflects these differences: scoping reviews map breadth and identify gaps, while systematic reviews answer specific questions with critical appraisal. The other choices misstate features such as the routine use of meta-analysis in scoping reviews, the role of risk-of-bias assessment, or the types of studies included.