Protocol Design
This study will broadly cover subject’s area with the nature of research activity on the topic in accordance with 6 stages structured framework (Arksey & O’Malley11 which was refine by Levac et al12. Six stages of review process were recommended; (1) identifying the research question; (2) identifying relevant studies; (3) selecting studies; (4) charting the data; (5) collating, summarizing and reporting the results and (6) consulting with relevant stakeholder. This scoping review will adhere to 22-Items for Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses for Scoping Review (PRISMA-ScR)13 (Graphic 1).
Stage 1: Identifying the research questions
In order to developed and identify research questions, subject area was examined including the nature of research activity on the relevant topic. Thus, the following research questions were identified:
1. What is the distinguished malaria vector in Malaysia?
2. What is the potential malaria vector in Malaysia?
Stage 2: Identifying relevant studies
Search strategy will be on published scientific journals, grey literature and annual reports using electronic databases such as below:
1. Electronic databases of Pubmed, Scopus, Google Scholar and Science Direct.
2. Relevant research websites such as www.data.gov.my, World Health Organizations (WHO) and Virtual Library Ministry Of Health (MOH).
Articles will be identified using medical subject heading and keywords combination of titles, abstract and keywords (Appendix) using systematic approach to search, screen, review and data extraction. Search will not be restricted by year or language. All selected search results will be imported into Mendeley software and Microsoft Excel spreadsheets (Microsoft Corporation, USA) for references and to manage duplications.
Stage 3: Study selection
All entomological research conducted in Malaysia will be included in this study including the previous reports such as longitudinal study, cross-sectional study, observational study and descriptive report. Firstly, inclusion and exclusion criteria will be used to determine the eligibility of the articles based on the title as the screening part of the review process. Any titles indicated that the research was conducted outside Malaysia will be removed. Secondly, titles and abstracts will be selected based on eligibility criteria. Only abstracts that fulfill the inclusion criteria will be further analyzed. Selected Full articles from of the selected abstracts will be reviewed and included in this study if it is considered significant and relevant studies.
Stage 4: Charting the data
The significant study characteristics from published research literature review will be extracted by a standardized data extraction framework (Table 1). Data extraction framework was developed to guide the extraction and charting process of the data from the articles. It will consist of the standard bibliographical information (title, author, journal, year of publication, language, location of the study and study objectives). Additional information such as type of study, primary outcome and other valuable information section will be included as well. Respectively it will provide an overall significant information about the study and to facilitate data analysis.
Stage 5: Collating, summarizing, and reporting the results
This scoping review intended to present an overview of study area compare to a systematic review where meta-synthesis reporting was required. Thus, information gather will be reported based on selection criteria. The finding of this study will summarize all data and information from the relevant articles and will emphasize the scope of malaria vectors in Malaysia. Furthermore, gaps in research targeting a specific area will be identified and determine. This study will use PRISMA-ScR reporting guidelines to accurately report the review search results.
Stage 6: Consulting with relevant stakeholder
There is a need for entomological information regarding malaria vectors in Malaysia due to insufficient data available. These information are valuable for planning an effective intervention as well as accelerating the malaria elimination certification. Relevant stakeholders for example, Entomology and Pest Sector, Disease Control Division, Ministry of Health had been consulted and series of discussions will be made as this is an ongoing study. Outcome from the discussions will provide the insights of current entomological situation in malaria risk area as well as malaria situation in Malaysia and ongoing operational research.