Assessing the Reach of a Systematic Review Service: Insights and Challenges

Genova, Gina; Glynn, Alex

doi:10.5281/zenodo.17281002

Assessing the Reach of a Systematic Review Service: Insights and Challenges

Genova, Gina; Glynn, Alex

Publisher: Zenodo
DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.17281002
Repository: zenodo.org
Language: en

Abstract

Objective Kornhauser Library serves four health professional schools at an R1 university and has provided full systematic review services for over a decade. This project aimed to assess the uptake and awareness of library systematic review services among our institution’s health sciences researchers. Methods Web of Science was searched for systematic reviews with at least one author from our institution’s Health Sciences Center. Later, a survey was distributed to the Health Sciences Center community. Those who have worked on a systematic review were asked about their awareness of library services and which services most interested them for future projects. Results HSC authors published 394 systematic reviews since 2014. Only 4.3% had a Kornhauser co-author. 194 reviews featured an [Institution Name] author as the first, last, and/or corresponding author; of these, 6.7% had a Kornhauser co-author. Several top systematic review-publishing departments have never worked with a Kornhauser librarian. Only 13 survey responses were received, of which 46% were aware of Kornhauser systematic review services. Of those that were aware, all had used the services and indicated they would again for a future project. Services of most interest to respondents included project consultations, full-text retrieval, database selection, and review of researcher-developed search strategies. Conclusion There is a lack of awareness of Kornhauser’s systematic review services. It is promising that those who have used our services seem generally satisfied, and that the services our community has expressed interest in are ones we already provide, but additional outreach efforts are needed.

Full text

Assessing the Reach of a Systematic Review Service: Insights and Challenges Gina Genova, MSI Alex Glynn, MA Kornhauser Health Sciences Library University of Louisville Key Questions Do UofL researchers who publish SRs use the library’s evidence synthesis service? Are UofL researchers who publish SRs aware of the library’s evidence synthesis service? If researchers are aware of but do not use the library's evidence synthesis service, why not? Which products and services would be most useful for UofL researchers working on evidence syntheses? Limited Utilization of Library Services ANY UOFL AUTHOR (N = 394) Librarian Co-Author Yes No UOFL FIRST, LAST, OR CORRESPONDING AUTHOR (N = 194) Librarian Co-Author Yes No Several top SR-publishing departments never published with a librarian. Survey Responses AWARE OF LIBRARY SERVICES? Yes No USED LIBRARY FOR LAST SR IF AWARE? Yes 13 responses, mostly faculty, from all HSC schools. WOULD USE AGAIN IF USED BEFORE? Yes Key Takeaways THE PROMISING •UofL researchers who know about the library’s evidence synthesis services use them and are satisfied. •The services identified as important for a library evidence synthesis service by UofL researches are ones that we offer. THE CHALLENGING •Awareness of the library’s evidence synthesis services on campus is limited. •Limited survey response decreases utility of data. •Marketing—for systematic review services and survey invitations— remains a challenge.