This paper by Hilary Arksey and Lisa O'Malley focuses on scoping studies, a method for reviewing literature that has received limited attention in research methods literature. The authors distinguish between different types of scoping studies and their relationship to full systematic reviews. They outline a framework for conducting a scoping study, based on their experience reviewing literature on services for carers of people with mental health problems. The framework includes five stages: identifying the research question, identifying relevant studies, study selection, charting the data, and collating, summarizing, and reporting the results. An optional sixth stage involves a consultation exercise to enhance the findings. The authors emphasize the importance of including a consultation exercise to make the results more useful to policymakers, practitioners, and service users. They discuss the advantages and limitations of the scoping study approach and call for a wider debate about its role in relation to other types of literature reviews. The paper aims to stimulate discussion and develop appropriate methods for conducting scoping studies.This paper by Hilary Arksey and Lisa O'Malley focuses on scoping studies, a method for reviewing literature that has received limited attention in research methods literature. The authors distinguish between different types of scoping studies and their relationship to full systematic reviews. They outline a framework for conducting a scoping study, based on their experience reviewing literature on services for carers of people with mental health problems. The framework includes five stages: identifying the research question, identifying relevant studies, study selection, charting the data, and collating, summarizing, and reporting the results. An optional sixth stage involves a consultation exercise to enhance the findings. The authors emphasize the importance of including a consultation exercise to make the results more useful to policymakers, practitioners, and service users. They discuss the advantages and limitations of the scoping study approach and call for a wider debate about its role in relation to other types of literature reviews. The paper aims to stimulate discussion and develop appropriate methods for conducting scoping studies.