Student Carers in Higher Education Institutions: A Scoping Review Protocol [version 1; peer review: 2 approved, 1 approved with reservations]
Student carers in higher education institutions (HEIs) is an emerging policy issue in many countries. Researchers have sought to synthesise the literature on student carers in HEIs. Runacres et al. (2024) conducted a scoping review, which included 14 studies, and Knopf et al. (2022) conducted a syst...
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F1000 Research Ltd
2025-01-01
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| Series: | HRB Open Research |
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| Online Access: | https://hrbopenresearch.org/articles/8-9/v1 |
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| author | Maria Pierce Andrew Darley Attracta Lafferty |
| author_facet | Maria Pierce Andrew Darley Attracta Lafferty |
| author_sort | Maria Pierce |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Student carers in higher education institutions (HEIs) is an emerging policy issue in many countries. Researchers have sought to synthesise the literature on student carers in HEIs. Runacres et al. (2024) conducted a scoping review, which included 14 studies, and Knopf et al. (2022) conducted a systematic review of university students who are caring for an older adult, which included six studies. These reviews identified some key themes discussed in the literature. However, there are further areas of discussion that have yet to be explored in the evidence to date. This observation is in the context of a growing body of international literature published on the topic and the greater visibility of family carers post-pandemic. One key area yet to be examined is the policy and practice responses to student carers in HEIs in different countries. The scope of this review will be broader than previous reviews with a specific focus on policy and practice responses regarding this population. This scoping review will: examine definitional issues concerning student carers in HEIs; summarise studies from different countries that provide estimates of the number of student carers in HEIs; identify theoretical perspectives and concepts underpinning research on this topic; and assess the available evidence on the value and outcomes of supports. The 5-stage methodological framework developed by Arksey and O’Malley (2005) will be used to guide this scoping review, as described in detail in this protocol. The findings of the scoping review will be used to inform the enhancement of supports for student carers in HEIs. A range of vehicles will be used to disseminate the findings, including conference presentations, publication in an international peer-reviewed journal, and preparation of a policy brief to disseminate the findings of this scoping review to policymakers and other relevant stakeholders. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-4dac23f15657455ca27111a77d945a6f |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2515-4826 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | F1000 Research Ltd |
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| series | HRB Open Research |
| spelling | doaj-art-4dac23f15657455ca27111a77d945a6f2025-08-20T02:02:21ZengF1000 Research LtdHRB Open Research2515-48262025-01-01810.12688/hrbopenres.14047.115424Student Carers in Higher Education Institutions: A Scoping Review Protocol [version 1; peer review: 2 approved, 1 approved with reservations]Maria Pierce0https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9469-0038Andrew Darley1https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4256-0044Attracta Lafferty2https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4042-9592Applied Social Studies, Maynooth University, Maynooth, County Kildare, IrelandUniversity College Dublin School of Nursing Midwifery and Health Systems, Dublin, Leinster, IrelandUniversity College Dublin School of Nursing Midwifery and Health Systems, Dublin, Leinster, IrelandStudent carers in higher education institutions (HEIs) is an emerging policy issue in many countries. Researchers have sought to synthesise the literature on student carers in HEIs. Runacres et al. (2024) conducted a scoping review, which included 14 studies, and Knopf et al. (2022) conducted a systematic review of university students who are caring for an older adult, which included six studies. These reviews identified some key themes discussed in the literature. However, there are further areas of discussion that have yet to be explored in the evidence to date. This observation is in the context of a growing body of international literature published on the topic and the greater visibility of family carers post-pandemic. One key area yet to be examined is the policy and practice responses to student carers in HEIs in different countries. The scope of this review will be broader than previous reviews with a specific focus on policy and practice responses regarding this population. This scoping review will: examine definitional issues concerning student carers in HEIs; summarise studies from different countries that provide estimates of the number of student carers in HEIs; identify theoretical perspectives and concepts underpinning research on this topic; and assess the available evidence on the value and outcomes of supports. The 5-stage methodological framework developed by Arksey and O’Malley (2005) will be used to guide this scoping review, as described in detail in this protocol. The findings of the scoping review will be used to inform the enhancement of supports for student carers in HEIs. A range of vehicles will be used to disseminate the findings, including conference presentations, publication in an international peer-reviewed journal, and preparation of a policy brief to disseminate the findings of this scoping review to policymakers and other relevant stakeholders.https://hrbopenresearch.org/articles/8-9/v1family care student carers higher education institutions policyeng |
| spellingShingle | Maria Pierce Andrew Darley Attracta Lafferty Student Carers in Higher Education Institutions: A Scoping Review Protocol [version 1; peer review: 2 approved, 1 approved with reservations] HRB Open Research family care student carers higher education institutions policy eng |
| title | Student Carers in Higher Education Institutions: A Scoping Review Protocol [version 1; peer review: 2 approved, 1 approved with reservations] |
| title_full | Student Carers in Higher Education Institutions: A Scoping Review Protocol [version 1; peer review: 2 approved, 1 approved with reservations] |
| title_fullStr | Student Carers in Higher Education Institutions: A Scoping Review Protocol [version 1; peer review: 2 approved, 1 approved with reservations] |
| title_full_unstemmed | Student Carers in Higher Education Institutions: A Scoping Review Protocol [version 1; peer review: 2 approved, 1 approved with reservations] |
| title_short | Student Carers in Higher Education Institutions: A Scoping Review Protocol [version 1; peer review: 2 approved, 1 approved with reservations] |
| title_sort | student carers in higher education institutions a scoping review protocol version 1 peer review 2 approved 1 approved with reservations |
| topic | family care student carers higher education institutions policy eng |
| url | https://hrbopenresearch.org/articles/8-9/v1 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT mariapierce studentcarersinhighereducationinstitutionsascopingreviewprotocolversion1peerreview2approved1approvedwithreservations AT andrewdarley studentcarersinhighereducationinstitutionsascopingreviewprotocolversion1peerreview2approved1approvedwithreservations AT attractalafferty studentcarersinhighereducationinstitutionsascopingreviewprotocolversion1peerreview2approved1approvedwithreservations |