Prioritising methodological research questions for scoping reviews, mapping reviews and evidence and gap maps for health research: a protocol for PROSPECT Delphi study.

Pollock, Danielle; Hasanoff, Sabira; McBride, Grace; Kanukula, Raju; Tricco, Andrea C.; Khalil, Hanan; Campbell, Fiona; Jia, Romy Menghao; Alexander, Lyndsay; Peters, Micah; Vieira, Ariany Marques; Aromataris, Edoardo; Nunn, Jack; Saran, Ashrita; Evans, Catrin; Godfrey, Christina; Pieper, Dawid; de Moraes, Érica Brandao; Biesty, Linda; Colquhoun, Heather; Devane, Declan; Toomey, Elaine; Clyne, Barbara; Davies, Ellen; Munn, Zachary

Abstract

Scoping reviews, mapping reviews and evidence and gap maps (collectively known as 'big picture reviews') in health continue to gain popularity within the evidence ecosystem. These big-picture reviews are beneficial for policy-makers, guideline developers and researchers within the field of health for understanding the available evidence, characteristics, concepts and research gaps, which are often needed to support the development of policies, guidelines and practice. However, these reviews often face criticism related to poor and inconsistent methodological conduct and reporting. There is a need to understand which areas of these reviews require further methodological clarification and exploration. The aim of this project is to develop a research agenda for scoping reviews, mapping reviews and evidence and gap maps in health by identifying and prioritising specific research questions related to methodological uncertainties. A modified e-Delphi process will be adopted. Participants (anticipated N=100) will include patients, clinicians, the public, researchers and others invested in creating a strategic research agenda for these reviews. This Delphi will be completed in four consecutive stages, including a survey collecting the methodological uncertainties for each of the big picture reviews, the development of research questions based on that survey and two further surveys and four workshops to prioritise the research questions. This study was approved by the University of Adelaide Human Research Ethics Committee (H-2024-188). The results will be communicated through open-access peer-reviewed publications and conferences. Videos and infographics will be developed and placed on the JBI (previously Joanna Briggs Institute) Scoping Review Network webpage.

Citation

POLLOCK, D., HASANOFF, S., MCBRIDE, G., ALEXANDER, L. et al. 2025. Prioritising methodological research questions for scoping reviews, mapping reviews and evidence and gap maps for health research: a protocol for PROSPECT Delphi study. BMJ Open [online], 15(8), article number e096298. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2024-096298

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jun 23, 2025
• Online Publication Date: Aug 4, 2025
• Publication Date: Aug 4, 2025
• Deposit Date: Aug 15, 2025
• Publicly Available Date: Aug 15, 2025
• Journal: BMJ Open
• Electronic ISSN: 2044-6055
• Publisher: BMJ Publishing Group
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 15
• Issue: 8
• Article Number: e096298
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2024-096298
• Keywords: Delphi technique; Health education; Health surveys; Research design; Review
• Public URL: https://rgu-repository.worktribe.com/output/2973174