A Practice-based Methodology on Conducting a Collaborative Scoping Review with PRISMA-ScR Model for the Separated Refugee Youth Project (2022)
What is this research about?
This article describes the collaborative engagement process of creating a reproducible model of ‘scoping review’ focused on the impact of family loss and separation among separated refugee youth in Toronto. The article provides an understanding of how researchers put together their scoping review, and an understanding of the current service providers as well as separated refugee youth research.
The study highlights the value of this approach in community-based research, addressing methodological challenges and improving the quality and transparency of the scoping review procedures. The resulting framework is presented as a reproducible model for similar research initiatives.
What Did Researchers Find?
There was a lack of agreed-upon detailed methodologies, guidance, and standards for conducting scoping reviews in community-based research, which posed a challenge. Researchers adapted existing scoping review frameworks, incorporating a participatory co-design approach involving various stakeholders throughout the process. This scoping review also identified and addressed several knowledge gaps in research on the impact of family loss and separation on refugee youth.
This research advances the methodology of scoping reviews by:
- Modifying Arksey and O’Malley’s framework to incorporate collaborative stakeholder engagement throughout the entire review process
- Integrating multiple quality assurance tools like PRISMA-ScR and the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) Qualitative Studies Checklist tool to ensure methodological rigor
- Demonstrating how community-based research can effectively utilize scoping reviews for novel research areas
Their modified framework represents a practice-friendly tool that emphasizes collaborative decision-making and quality assurance throughout the entire review process, making it particularly suitable for community-based research projects.
Researchers demonstrated the effectiveness of integrating collaborative decision-making at all stages of the scoping review process. This included stakeholder engagement throughout all review stages (not just at the end), through regular consultation with advisory team members, and integration of peer researchers with lived experience.
What You Need to Know
This scoping review is part of a 2-year study on the impact of family loss and separation on refugee youth in Toronto. During that project researchers recognized the need for a more robust methodology to conduct scoping reviews, especially for novel research areas in community-based settings. They created a framework that would:
- Provide a solid foundation for exploring new research topics
- Ensure methodological rigor and quality assurance
- Facilitate collaborative decision-making throughout the review process
Refugee youth separated from their family are a socially vulnerable population. They are at risk of developing complex health and wellbeing issues. The barriers they face in accessing social and healthcare services escalate their trauma.
There is limited research on separated refugee youth, especially focused on the impact of family loss and separation on refugee youth in Toronto. Researchers identified gaps in the characteristics of existing research on separated refugee youth, specifically regarding the breadth, extent, nature, and geography of these research activities.
Researchers also highlighted a lack of clear definitions for key terms, such as “youth” and “family loss and separation,” which varied across different jurisdictions and organizations. They created operational definitions for these terms to address this gap.
What did the researchers do?
Researchers had specific goals that were implemented in a staged approach.
Step 1:
Generate a research-based solid foundation document to guide the study on the impact of family loss and separation among refugee youth. The research team identified three research questions to capture maximum literature:
- What were the characteristics of the research conducted on separated refugee youth?
- What was the research methodology used in the research conducted on the separated refugee youth?
- What were the main emerging themes of the research conducted on the separated refugee youth?
Step 2:
Examine the current body of knowledge on the extent, range, geography, and nature of research on this topic. Relevant studies were retrieved from three major electronic databases (e.g., EBSCO, Elsevier, and Springer), Google Scholar, and online peer-reviewed open access journals. A snowball search approach was to expand upon search results by searching the bibliographies of retrieved articles.
Steps 3 – 6:
Researchers created a replicable model for conducting a scoping review in Community-Based Research.
The research team collaboratively selected articles for review. The articles were evaluated for quality appraisal to verify the completeness of the article.
Relevant information was extracted from the literature using a data charting form and themes and subthemes were generated to classify and arrange the literature. This was done through repeated consultation in a collaborative research approach. This process is a significant but important commitment to community-based research, as incorporating a participatory co-design process is an asset for the scoping review.
The themes were finalized using this collaborative approach.
Researchers employed a comprehensive methodological approach that included:
- Modified Arksey and O’Malley’s six-step framework
- Embedded supporting models like PRISMA-ScR and CASP
- Created a practice-friendly composite tool
How can you use this research?
The methodology developed through this research is particularly valuable for community-based research projects exploring novel areas where traditional systematic reviews may not be appropriate.
For Researchers:
- Provides a replicable model for conducting collaborative scoping reviews.
- Offers practical guidance for quality assurance in review processes.
For Practitioners:
- Demonstrates how to integrate stakeholder engagement throughout the review process.
- Shows how to adapt existing frameworks for Community-Based Research.
For Future Research:
- Identifies areas for methodological improvement.
- Suggests ways to enhance quality assessment in scoping reviews.
Study authors and journal/book name
Authors: Akm Alamgir, Serena Nudel, Amjed Abojedi
Publication: Journal of Scientific Research and Reports (original link)
Related Access Alliance Activities
Impact of Family Loss and Separations on Refugee Youth
This study examines how experiences of loss, disappearance or protracted separation of one or more family members due to war, conflict, and forced migration affect refugee children/youth and their families in terms of post-migration settlement and wellbeing. The project also seeks to build evidence on what kinds of services and supports can promote the wellbeing of these refugee children/youth and their families.
Loss and Protracted Family Separation among Refugee Children and Youth: Examining Post-migration Impacts and Service Needs
This study combined findings from a scoping review with experiential data from refugee youth and service providers to summarize evidence about the impacts of family loss and separation on refugee youth. The research team developed a list of resources for refugee youth, a practitioner toolkit for conducting research with refugee youth, and a policy statement.
Impact of Social Isolation on Refugee Children and Youth
This project aims to assess the impact of social isolation on refugee youth in Toronto (Canada) as well as their coping mechanisms to overcome the adverse effects on their health and wellbeing. This will be done by conducting a rigorous systematic review of existing literature followed by peer-led facilitated discussion.
For more information contact: research@accessalliance.ca