A scoping review of systems approaches for increasing physical activity in populations

Table 2 Typology of systems methods used in physical activity research across stages of systems approaches

Stage of systems approach	Aim	System mapping^a	Network analysis^b	System modelling^c	System framing^d	Protocol development^e	Generic methods^f	Methods development^g	Literature synthesis^h
Theorizing	Identify and compare stakeholder understanding of a complex system	X	X		X	X
	Identify and compare stakeholder understanding of how a planned/hypothesized intervention might interact within a complex system	X			X
	Explore the role, application or implications of using systems approaches or methods in a particular context			X	X			X	X
Prediction (simulation)	Hypothesize and simulate how an intervention may impact on and interact with a complex system	X	X	X			X
Prediction (simulation)	Hypothesize and simulate how agents within a complex system react and interact in response to an intervention			X				X
Intervention development (formative)	Design interventions for real-world implementation within a complex system	X			X	X
Process evaluation	Understand how an implemented intervention interacts with and influences a complex system in the real world	X			X	X	X
Impact evaluation	Quantify the impacts or outcomes of an implemented intervention on key system parameters in the real world						X		X

The “X” symbols in this table denote categories where papers were found in this review
^aSystem mapping: studies that theorize and illustrate a system's boundaries and interrelated parts
^bNetwork analysis: studies that focus on relationships between individuals or organizations relevant to a system
^cSystem modelling: computational models that simulate changes within a complex system over time
^dSystem framing: approaches that have emerged from the systems thinking tradition or from attempts to apply systems theories and concepts to other public health issues
^eProtocol development: studies that describe the design or methods that will be used for a particular stage of a systems approach
^fGeneric methods: studies that primarily apply non-systems methods to a particular stage of a systems approach
^gMethods development: studies that primarily describe the development or refinement of methods or tools to support a systems approach
^hLiterature synthesis: uses a systematic or narrative approach to review published literature on systems approaches or methods

ISSN: 1478-4505