Integrative Review vs. Scoping Review

Attribute	Integrative Review	Scoping Review
Purpose	Summarize and critique existing literature on a topic	Map the existing literature on a topic
Scope	Focuses on a specific research question or topic	Broader scope, aims to identify gaps in the literature
Inclusion Criteria	Includes various types of studies	Includes a wide range of sources
Methodology	Combines findings from different types of studies	Uses a systematic approach to map the literature
Analysis	Focuses on synthesizing findings	Focuses on identifying trends and gaps

Definition

Integrative review and scoping review are two types of literature reviews commonly used in research. Integrative review is a method that synthesizes diverse sources of information to provide a comprehensive understanding of a particular topic. It involves the integration of findings from multiple studies to generate new insights or theories. On the other hand, scoping review is a method used to map the existing literature on a particular topic, identify key concepts, and gaps in the research. It aims to provide an overview of the available evidence without necessarily synthesizing the findings.

Purpose

The purpose of an integrative review is to provide a comprehensive understanding of a particular topic by synthesizing findings from multiple studies. It aims to generate new insights, theories, or frameworks that can guide future research or practice. In contrast, the purpose of a scoping review is to map the existing literature on a topic, identify key concepts, and gaps in the research. It is often used to inform the development of research questions or to identify areas for further investigation.

Scope

Integrative review typically includes a wide range of study designs, methodologies, and sources of evidence. It may involve the synthesis of qualitative and quantitative studies, as well as theoretical or conceptual papers. The scope of an integrative review is broad, allowing for the integration of diverse perspectives and approaches. On the other hand, scoping review is more focused on mapping the existing literature on a particular topic. It may include a variety of study designs and sources of evidence, but the emphasis is on providing an overview of the available evidence rather than synthesizing the findings.

Methodology

Integrative review follows a systematic process for identifying, selecting, and synthesizing relevant literature. It typically involves a comprehensive search of multiple databases, the screening of articles based on predefined criteria, and the synthesis of findings using a structured approach. Integrative review may also involve the development of new frameworks or theories based on the synthesized evidence. In contrast, scoping review follows a similar systematic process for identifying and selecting relevant literature, but the emphasis is on mapping the existing literature rather than synthesizing the findings. Scoping review may involve the use of thematic analysis or other qualitative methods to identify key concepts and gaps in the research.

Output

The output of an integrative review is typically a comprehensive synthesis of the literature on a particular topic. This may include new insights, theories, or frameworks that can guide future research or practice. Integrative review may also identify areas for further investigation or highlight gaps in the existing literature. On the other hand, the output of a scoping review is an overview of the existing literature on a topic. This may include a summary of key concepts, themes, and gaps in the research. Scoping review is often used to inform the development of research questions or to identify areas for further investigation.

Conclusion

In conclusion, integrative review and scoping review are two types of literature reviews that serve different purposes and have distinct methodologies. Integrative review aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of a particular topic by synthesizing findings from multiple studies, while scoping review aims to map the existing literature on a topic and identify key concepts and gaps in the research. The scope, methodology, and output of integrative review and scoping review differ, but both types of reviews play an important role in advancing knowledge and informing future research.