Education Data Ecosystems in Africa: A Protocol for a Scoping Review

Description: This scoping review protocol is aimed at identifying and analyzing the challenges, gaps, barriers, and enablers for successful interventions in Africa's education data ecosystems. The review focuses on integrating gender, equity, and social inclusion (GESI) measures into these ecosystems. Objectives: • To identify and analyze the challenges, gaps, barriers, and enablers in Africa's education data ecosystems. • To offer insights for incorporating GEI indicators into these ecosystems. Inclusion Criteria: • Studies must focus on basic education in African countries. • Address challenges, gaps, barriers, enablers, or exemplary interventions. • Include publications from 2004 to 2024. Methods: • Information Sources: Databases such as ERIC, EBSCOhost, Google Scholar, SAGE, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and development partners' websites. • Search Strategy: comprehensive literature search covering published and grey literature in English and French. • Data Management: identified literature will be compiled within the Zotero reference manager for collation and removal of duplicates. • Study Selection: to be managed using the Rayyan web-based tool by sets of two reviewers, with a third reviewer resolving disagreements. • Data Extraction: using a spreadsheet program to capture details such as the title, author, and key findings. • Pilot Testing: a pilot with the data extraction tool will be conducted to improve the consistency of indicators, screening, and findings. • Analysis: Thematic analysis guided by the study’s key focus areas, following the JBI outline and Population Concept and Context (PCC) criteria. • Stakeholder input: complemented by input from stakeholders in Burkina Faso, Senegal, and Uganda. Ethics and Dissemination: Ethical considerations will be addressed, and findings will be disseminated through publications and presentations.