Chart OR Theme, Depending on Epistemology: Embracing Methodological Shifting.

Authors

Lara Varpio

Published in

Perspectives on medical education. Volume 15. Issue 1. Pages 569-572. Epub Jul 08, 2026.

Abstract

In this commentary, I argue that the injunction to "chart, don't theme" in scoping reviews needs revision because the methodology has experienced methodological shifting. This means that the, scoping review methodology has evolved because it has moved across epistemological traditions. I contend that charting is methodologically coherent for scoping reviews conducted from an objectivist epistemology, whereas reflexive thematic analysis is coherent for scoping reviews conducted from a subjectivist epistemology. I conclude that researchers should make their epistemological stance explicit and select analytic practices that align with that stance. In summation, I suggest reframing the methodological choice as "chart or theme, depending on epistemology."

PMID:
42434428
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 11 Jul 2026.

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