Scoping reviews are increasingly essential for HDR candidates and emerging researchers who need to map complex research landscapes, identify gaps, and build strong foundations for publications and projects. This practical workshop introduces participants to the scoping review process—from crafting a well-defined question and developing a protocol, to searching, screening, extracting, and synthesising evidence using best-practice frameworks.

Drawing on real examples from psychology, health, and education, this session demystifies common challenges and provides clear strategies for managing large bodies of literature with rigour and efficiency.

Whether you are planning your first scoping review or looking to strengthen your methodological toolkit, this workshop will equip you with the knowledge and confidence to design and deliver a high-quality, publishable review.

Note: Prior attendance to UQ Library’s "Introduction to Systematic Reviews" and/or “Advanced Literature Searching” are strongly recommended. In addition, it is recommended that you have attended or plan on attending “Beyond the Basics: A Practical Guide to Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses.”

Presenter

Dr Callyn Farrell is a social developmental psychologist with experience designing and publishing scoping reviews across psychology, education, and health. He regularly supports HDR students and ECRs in developing review protocols, managing evidence synthesis, and translating their reviews into publishable outputs. 

About Research design

Your research degree requires the ability to apply "analytical and critical thinking skills to generate new knowledge, investigate problems and develop inventive solutions" (UQ HDR Graduate Attributes, 2017). This starts with determining the design of the research study through understanding and justifying the chosen methodologies and analytical methods. Building these skills during your research degree will equip you with the knowledge to apply them in a wide variety of contexts during your career.

The Graduate School has a range of sessions covering research methodolgy and methods delivered by esteemed providers such as ISSR.

Useful links

  1. University of Endinburgh Introduction to Social Research Methods
  2. TUDelfts Multidisciplinary Research Methods for Engineers
  3. UQ's Introduction to Psychological Research Methods