Published: Mar 13, 2026

Library and information science researchers often start with a broad question: What do we know about this topic, and how has it been studied? When the goal is to map a field rather than answer a narrow question about effectiveness, a scoping review can be a useful choice.

A scoping review is designed to identify the size, range, and nature of research on a topic. It is especially helpful when a subject is emerging, interdisciplinary, or defined in inconsistent ways. In LIS, that might include topics such as AI in libraries, digital equity, or information practices in online communities.

Scoping reviews are useful for questions such as:

• What themes appear in the literature?
• What methods have been used?
• How are key concepts defined?
• Where are the gaps?

This makes them different from systematic reviews, which usually focus on a much narrower question. A scoping review may be a good fit when the topic is broad, terminology varies, the literature includes multiple methods, or the goal is to identify patterns and gaps. For example, a researcher studying AI literacy in public libraries might find a mix of surveys, case studies, conceptual pieces, and practitioner reports. A scoping review can help organize that landscape.

Most scoping reviews include a few core steps: defining the question, setting inclusion criteria, searching the literature, screening sources, extracting key information, and summarizing patterns. The final result should do more than list studies. It should help readers understand how the field is shaped and where future research is needed.

For LIS researchers, scoping reviews are especially valuable because they work well with interdisciplinary and fast-changing topics. They can also help clarify terms and support the early stages of research planning. A common mistake is making the question too broad. Another is treating a scoping review as an easier version of a systematic review. It is not easier, just different. A strong scoping review still requires a clear process and transparent documentation.

When the research goal is to explore a field, map existing work, and identify gaps, a scoping review can be a good starting point. If you are interested in exploring more about this method, the is a good place to look into.