Knowledge synthesis methods for generating or refining theory: a scoping review reveals that little guidance is available

Scoping reviews are an increasingly popular knowledge synthesis method. While knowledge synthesis methods abound in evidence-based practices, these methods are critiqued for their reliance on positivism. Drawing on a scoping review that mapped scholarly conceptualizations of family caregivers’ information-related dementia care work, in this article, I reconcile institutional ethnography’s epistemological and ontological assumptions with the prescribed scoping review framework. I first explore the textual organization of scoping reviews. I then unpack the process of modifying three scoping review stages in keeping with an institutional ethnography method of inquiry, and in doing so, transform the scoping review into a critical knowledge synthesis tool. Through a reflexive process, I deconstruct scoping review’s textual authority and uncover that scoping reviews bring about a double decontextualization of family caregivers’ information work, removing family caregivers from their experiences of their information-related care work while simultaneously reducing them to objects of techno-scientific interventions.

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Teaching Knowledge Synthesis Methodologies in a Higher Education Setting: A Scoping Review of Face-to-Face Instructional Programs

Evidence Based Library and Information Practice ◽

10.18438/eblip29895 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (2) ◽

pp. 111-144

Author(s):

Zahra Premji ◽

K. Alix Hayden ◽

Shauna Rutherford

Keyword(s):

Higher Education ◽

Learning Strategies ◽

Scoping Review ◽

Full Text ◽

Information Science ◽

Data Extraction ◽

Knowledge Synthesis ◽

Synthesis Methods ◽

Instructional Programs ◽

Study Selection

Abstract Background – Knowledge synthesis (KS) reviews are increasingly being conducted and published. Librarians are frequently taking a role in training colleagues, faculty, graduate students, and others on aspects of knowledge syntheses methods. Objective – In order to inform the design of a workshop series, the authors undertook a scoping review to identify what and how knowledge synthesis methods are being taught in higher education settings, and to identify particularly challenging concepts or aspects of KS methods. Methods – The following databases were searched: MEDLINE, EMBASE & APA PsycInfo (via Ovid); LISA (via ProQuest); ERIC, Education Research Complete, Business Source Complete, Academic Search Complete, CINAHL, Library & Information Science Source, and SocIndex (via EBSCO); and Web of Science core collection. Comprehensive searches in each database were conducted on May 31, 2019 and updated on September 13, 2020. Relevant conferences and journals were hand searched, and forward and backward searching of the included articles was also done. Study selection was conducted by two independent reviews first by title/abstract and then using the full-text articles. Data extraction was completed by one individual and verified independently by a second individual. Discrepancies in study selection and data extraction were resolved by a third individual. Results – The authors identified 2,597 unique records, of which 48 full-text articles were evaluated for inclusion, leading to 17 included articles. 12 articles reported on credit courses and 5 articles focused on stand-alone workshops or workshop series. The courses/workshops were from a variety of disciplines, at institutions located in North America, Europe, New Zealand, and Africa. They were most often taught by faculty, followed by librarians, and sometimes involved teaching assistants. Conclusions – The instructional content and methods varied across the courses and workshops, as did the level of detail reported in the articles. Hands-on activities and active learning strategies were heavily encouraged by the authors. More research on the effectiveness of specific teaching strategies is needed in order to determine the optimal ways to teach KS methods.

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Erratum to: Characteristics and knowledge synthesis approach for 456 network meta-analyses: a scoping review

BMC Medicine ◽

10.1186/s12916-017-0832-6 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 15 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Wasifa Zarin ◽

Areti Angeliki Veroniki ◽

Vera Nincic ◽

Afshin Vafaei ◽

Emily Reynen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Scoping Review ◽

Knowledge Synthesis ◽

Meta Analyses ◽

Synthesis Approach

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A knowledge synthesis of culturally- and spiritually-sensitive end-of-life care: findings from a scoping review

BMC Geriatrics ◽

10.1186/s12877-016-0282-6 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 16 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 27

Author(s):

Mei Lan Fang ◽

Judith Sixsmith ◽

Shane Sinclair ◽

Glen Horst

Keyword(s):

End Of Life ◽

Scoping Review ◽

End Of Life Care ◽

Knowledge Synthesis ◽

Life Care

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Application of a Rapid Knowledge Synthesis and Transfer Approach To Assess the Microbial Safety of Low-Moisture Foods†

Journal of Food Protection ◽

10.4315/0362-028x.jfp-15-146 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 78 (12) ◽

pp. 2264-2278 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

IAN YOUNG ◽

LISA WADDELL ◽

SARAH CAHILL ◽

MINA KOJIMA ◽

RENATA CLARKE ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Knowledge Transfer ◽

Burden Of Illness ◽

Integrated Approach ◽

Knowledge Synthesis ◽

Synthesis Methods ◽

Prevalence Studies ◽

Evidence Mapping ◽

Public Health Burden ◽

Evidence Summary ◽

Low Moisture Foods

Low-moisture foods (LMF) are increasingly implicated in outbreaks of foodborne illness, resulting in a significant public health burden. To inform the development of a new Codex Alimentarius code of hygienic practice for LMF, we applied a rapid knowledge synthesis and transfer approach to review global research on the burden of illness, prevalence, and interventions to control nine selected microbial hazards in eight categories of LMF. Knowledge synthesis methods included an integrated scoping review (search strategy, relevance screening and confirmation, and evidence mapping), systematic review (detailed data extraction), and meta-analysis of prevalence data. Knowledge transfer of the results was achieved through multiple reporting formats, including evidence summary cards. We identified 214 unique outbreaks and 204 prevalence and 126 intervention studies. Cereals and grains (n = 142) and Salmonella (n = 278) were the most commonly investigated LMF and microbial hazard categories, respectively. Salmonella was implicated in the most outbreaks (n = 96, 45%), several of which were large and widespread, resulting in the most hospitalizations (n = 895, 89%) and deaths (n = 14, 74%). Salmonella had a consistently low prevalence across all LMF categories (0 to 3%), but the prevalence of other hazards (e.g., Bacillus cereus) was highly variable. A variety of interventions were investigated in small challenge trials. Key knowledge gaps included underreporting of LMF outbreaks, limited reporting of microbial levels in prevalence studies, and a lack of intervention efficacy research under commercial conditions. Summary cards were a useful knowledge transfer format to inform complementary risk ranking activities. This review builds upon previous work in this area by synthesizing a broad range of evidence using a structured, transparent, and integrated approach to provide timely evidence informed inputs into international guidelines.

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A Rapid Scoping Review of Publications Examining Psychological Impacts of COVID-19 in China

10.31234/osf.io/2uadr ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Yanchen Zhang ◽

Clayton Cook

Keyword(s):

Scoping Review ◽

Cost Effective ◽

Intervention Strategies ◽

Synthesis Methods ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Effective Prevention ◽

Literature Synthesis ◽

Psychological Impacts ◽

Solution Focused ◽

Psychological Demands

Objective: Despite the surge of publications examining the psychological impacts of COVID-19 in China, little was reported about effective solutions. The gap necessitates a timely literature synthesis. Methods: A rapid scoping review was conducted in major English and Chinese databases, ArXivs, and trial registries. Two researchers independently extracted data following the PRISMA guideline. Results: Screening of publications led to 102 English and 322 Chinese publications between December 31st, 2019, and June 15th, 2020. The majority resembled "Problem Admiration" efforts of commentaries on policies or guidelines (35.38%), and cross-sectional surveys (53.54%) that documented the prevalence and types of psychopathology in China during the pandemic. Although the publications unanimously called for clinical trials, solution-focused studies were scarce (2.12%). Conclusions: Researchers should move beyond “Problem Admiration” to coordinating rigorous trials of timely, scalable, and cost-effective prevention and intervention strategies to address the psychological demands of people in the current and future crises.

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