Slide 1

Library Research Support Trial (LibReST)

Jenny MitchellFaculty Librarian (Health Sciences)Kendra WatsonFaculty Librarian (Science, Technology & Engineering)

1st June 2012

Introduction who we are and where we are from JM & KW faculty librarians from La Trobe Uni Library

Topic of our presentation I am reporting on behalf of a working group that are currently undertaking a Library Research Support Trial (LibReST) which began earlier this year and is currently a work in progress La Trobe University Library1Library Research focus - 2011

Overview: In 2011 there was a organisational structure change across the University so that the reporting line for the Library changed.

Previously the library reported to the DVC Education 2Library Research focus - 2011

The change in reporting line resulted in the library now reporting to the to the DVC Research

This meant a slight shift in focus for the library which became much more focused on research support3Learning & Research Services research development - 2012Enhanced Library research support service = contribute to key objectives in the University Research Plan 2012-2015 Increasing the level of organisational support, assistance and advice available to researchers, and identifying research training needs

In 2012 an enhanced Library research support service will be offered by Learning & Research Services (where the Faculty Librarians are located) in order to contribute to key objectives in the Universitys Research Plan 2012-2015.

This will be achieved by: Increasing the level of organisational support, assistance and advice available to researchersIdentifying research training needs

PAUSE4Research SupportThe Charles La Trobe Lounge

Artists Impression

As part of an enhanced research support service there is a new space is being created at the Melbourne Campus Library called the Charles La Trobe Lounge which will provide increased meeting and workspace for Senior Alumni, Adjunct Professors and senior academic staff (local and regional).

Work is expected to be complete by the end of 2012.

5LibReSTLibrary Research Support trial (LibReST) is designed to explore the feasibility of the provision of advanced research support by the faculty librarian group in Learning and Research Services

One key example of our increased research support has been the implementation of the Library Research Support Trial (LibReST)

The LibReST project was designed to explore the feasibility of providing advanced research support across the faculty librarian group in Learning and Research Services at La Trobe.

Management recognised that faculty librarians would need capacity to provide increased research support so a Library Officer was employed to free up faculty librarians from the Research Help Desk and LibChat service.

An environmental scan was undertaken looked at other Uni websites to see what research support they offered and how online form was presented. Decided to use Uni of Colorado (Denver) as form was a good webpage design http://hslibrary.ucdenver.edu/research-support

PAUSE

6LibReSTLibReST focused on how faculty librarians can contribute to the work of researchers within the Faculty of Health Sciences, for those

conducting preliminary literature reviews preparing grant applications working on funded projects involving systematic literature reviews

For this project the group focused on how faculty librarians can contribute to the work of researchers within the Faculty of Health Sciences including those researchers and research assistants who are:

conducting preliminary literature reviewspreparing grant applicationsworking on funded projects involving systematic literature reviews

A basic free core service provided by faculty librarians would be provided for Researchers, Research Assistants and those doing research as funded grant applications PAUSE

7LibReSTUsed a standard framework for reporting literature searches (STARLITE) with the aim of developing a: systematic efficient sustainable model identify potential opportunities for future research support servicesThe trial explored using a standard framework for reporting literature searches (STARLITE) with the aim of developing a systematic, efficient and sustainable model for delivering identified library services and also identifying potential opportunities for future research support services8

Elements of the STARLITE mnemonicBooth, A. (2006). Brimful of STARLITE: toward standards for reporting literature searches. Journal of the Medical Library Association, 94(4), 421.

S: Sampling strategy Comprehensive: attempts to identify all relevant studies on the topicSelective: attempts to identify all relevant studies but only within specified limitsPurposive: samples from specific disciplines, years, journalsT: Type of studies Fully reported: describes actual study types (e.g., grounded theory) or designs to be includedPartially reported: uses an umbrella category such as qualitative studies without defining what this meansA: Approaches _ Approaches other than electronic subject searches (see below) Example: hand-searchingCitation snowballingR: Range of years(start dateend date)Fully reported: includes start and end dates with justification for time period chosenPartially reported: includes start and end dates but only determined available coverage of databasesL: Limits Functional limits that are applied for logistic reasons but do not alter the topic conceptually (e.g., human, English etc.)I: Inclusion and exclusions Conceptual limitations that mediate the scope of the topic area (e.g., geographical location, setting, or a specific focus of study)T: Terms used Fully present: example of a sample search strategy from one or more of the main databasesPartially present: reports terminology used but without evidence of search syntax and operatorsE: Electronic sources Reports databases used and, optimally, search platforms and vendors to assist in replicationAndrew Booths STARLITE mnemonic can be used to convey the essential elements for reporting literature reviews, and is based on a summary of different searching methods. This STARLITE framework is used to organise requirements of the search.

EXPAND ON THESE:

S = sampling strategy may be comprehensive (all relevant studies on topic), selective (within specified time limits) or specific journalsT = type of studies fully reported (actual study type e.g. grounded theory or design type) or partially reported (umbrella category such as qualitative studies)A = ApproachesR = Range of yearsL = LimitsI = Inclusions and exclusions T = Terms usedE = Electronic sources

This framework was applied for this project and then expanded upon.

PAUSE9ProcessFeb-mid year 2012

Working Group = 3 Faculty Librarians & 1 Researcher who provided 2 cases for trial

Dr Dell Horey PhD - ResearcherFaculty of Health SciencesSchool of Health Sciences Research Melbourne (Bundoora)

Sharon KarasmanisHSci

Jenny MitchellHSci

Kendra WatsonSTE &EndnoteTest Cases for STARLITE framework

Test Cases were provided using the STARLITE framework:

Palliative Care initiatives involving General PractitionersUse of tele-presence in palliative care

PAUSE11Group Journal LogA Group Journal Log was used to record the process of the trial

Provided a reflection of what worked and what could be improved

Groups Journal Log was used to record the process of the trial and included updates on the project such as details of meeting dates, attendees and discussions. Documented actions that were planned & decisions made.

Journal Log was in Word format and stored on the Library Group Drive so all faculty librarians working on the project could amend and record their work on the project.

The Journal Log was important as it provided a reflection of what worked and what could be improved. By analysing process realised there needed to be changes made. For example, for this project created accounts in various databases and provided login details but this became too messy. Decided Endnote file at end of work best option.

PAUSE

12

Web form template

Designed a template based on STARTLITE of what the Customised Search Service for Researchers & Academics Online Request Form would include.

Decided to refine form so less going back and forth.

Includes questions that will direct those not eligible for the service to other forms e.g. PG students to the Book a research consultation and UG to the LibSkills tutorial.

Working group agreed will need to draw the line and not do Research Assistants work (e.g. hand-searching)

PAUSE

13Request Form step 1

Draft of new Customised Service Request form

Step 1 General information e.g. faculty belong to

Initial Draft form was submitted to Communications and Online Learning Team to be created still needs to be reviewed and amendments/feedback provided by the other Faculty Librarians across the various subject areas which will occur following a special research support meeting amongst L&RS faculty librarians meeting in June.

14Request Form step 2

Your literature review search terms, databases included, relevant journals15Request Form step 3

Additional information type of publication, age group16Report Back FormFor trial the Report Back process involved:

STARLITE template form with additional information e.g. subject terms/headings usedScreenshots of search historiesAccounts created for each database searchedEndnote file attached to email

17Next StepsReport Back Form amendmentsTrial Customised Search Service forms with Health SciencesTransfer to other discipline areasLevels of serviceTraining requirementsIdentify restrictionsEfficient uninterrupted work process Greater access to expanded, streamlined research support services

Will need to decide the design of the Report Back Form using STARLITE framework with Endnote file & Word option. Ideally online creation of the report back will allow faculty libns to streamline the process

Once the final version of the Customised Service Request form has been approved the library will trial the customised search service forms within the Health Sciences faculty

Will then transfer this service to other discipline areas

Will consider offering different levels of service more advance service will incur fee (e.g. premium service as part of user pays model data analysis)

Identified possible research training opportunities and needs of Faculty Librarians e.g. Endnote training

Will need to look at whether any restrictions may need to be imposed such as maximum number of requests at one time , or no bookings during first weeks of Semester

Need to assess how faculty librarians can work on systematic review uninterrupted so its an efficient process

The use of the Customised Search Service Form based on STARLITE framework on the library website will hopefully streamline research support so that more people can utilise this expanded research support service offered by Learning and Research Services faculty librarians.

18Questions?

Question I have been asked: Isn't going literature and systematic reviews what you already do for your academic staff and researchers?

This new form and process is a more streamlined, systematic method of providing research support.

Its STARLITE design ensure there is less to-ing and fro-ing between librarian and the staff member. Form designed to have most information included with initial request so less need to email back and forth Also it ensure there is consistency so that staff are all receiving the same level of service regardless of the faculty they belong to

Endnote file will always be provided with option of WORD document as well Sustainable too as it is expected the number of requests for the service will increase once it is more heavily promoted

Any tricky questions relating to Sharons search process advise colleague worked on this part of the project. Happy for them to email me and we can respond after consulting colleague in late July.19