Keywords
evidence synthesis, library, graduate researchers, graduate students
Abstract
Detailed Description:
With the increased interest in evidence synthesis research in social sciences and fields outside of the health sciences, more librarians are actively involved in consulting and collaborating with researchers, with some also participating as co-authors on projects (Chapman, 2021; Kogut, Ramirez, & Foster, 2022). Based on individual requests, librarians may conduct comprehensives searches, document and report searches to ensure reproducibility, and/or assist with question refinement, protocol development, citation management tools, and evidence synthesis software.
To support evidence synthesis researchers, libraries are identifying support models and deciding on the scope of assistance they can provide. Within this process, other ‘sticky problems” can arise such as the type of evidence synthesis assistance to provide for doctoral and/or master’s students. These questions involve multiple considerations about staffing limitations, librarian training, and readiness of graduate students to adopt the comprehensive and time-intensive nature of evidence synthesis research.
To address these topics, the presenters will discuss results from a recent literature review, share planning underway at their institution, and facilitate an information exchange by soliciting attendee discussion based on a series of topic-related prompts that include the three questions below. The relevance of this topic is threefold: it promotes broader awareness of evidence synthesis models adopted by academic libraries, facilitates discussion and potential solutions librarians can adopt to support graduate researchers interested in evidence synthesis research, and provides peer-to-peer learning and networking opportunities.
Objectives: As a result of attending this session, attendees will be able to:
- Discuss evidence synthesis models adopted by academic libraries.
- Describe liaison and functional librarian roles and types of assistance provided for graduate researchers interested in evidence synthesis research.
- Identify potential training options for graduate researchers interested in evidence synthesis research.
Question prompts:
- What evidence synthesis model has your library adopted to provide support for researchers in disciplines outside of health sciences?
- How are you navigating faculty and/or graduate student requests for assistance?
- What are the major challenges and successes you have encountered?
Publication Date
4-4-2025
Original Citation
Bishop, C., Norris, S., and Phillips, J.D. (2025, April 4). Evidence Synthesis and Graduate Researchers: Benefits and Barriers. [Round Table]. 2025 Association of Colleges and Research Libraries Conference, Minneapolis, MN.
Document Type
Conference Presentation
Copyright Status
Author retained
Publication Version
Author's version
Location
Orlando (Main) Campus
Department
UCF Libraries
STARS Citation
Bishop, Corinne; Norris, Sarah; and Phillips, Jason D., "Evidence Synthesis and Graduate Researchers: Benefits and Barriers" (2025). Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works. 1317.
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/ucfscholar/1317