Systematic Mapping Review

A systematic mapping review (also called a 'scoping review') is a literature review methodology that aims to comprehensively identify and categorize the published evidence on a topic without necessarily assessing the quality of individual studies or synthesizing findings quantitatively. Developed by Arksey and O'Malley (2005) and formalized by the Joanna Briggs Institute, systematic mapping reviews chart the landscape of evidence: what has been studied, what are the research gaps, and how is evidence distributed across study types, populations, and outcomes. Unlike systematic reviews that answer specific research questions with rigorous study selection and synthesis, mapping reviews provide a broad overview of the research terrain, making them ideal for defining scope, identifying knowledge gaps, and guiding future research priorities.