Evidence Based Library and Information Practice – The Canadian Scene

1. Evidence Based Library and Information Practice – The Canadian Scene Su Cleyle Associate University Librarian Memorial University of Newfoundland CLA Teleconference Series September 21, 2005

2. Outline • Brief Background – What is EBP and EBL? • Canadian Scene • EBL Conferences • EBLIG • Evidence Based Library and Information Practice • How you can get involved?

3. What is EBM/P? “Evidence based medicine is the conscientious, explicit and judicious use of current best evidence in making decision about the care of individual patients. This practice means integrating individual experience with the best available external evidence from systematic research. ”

4. EBP - 5 Step Process • Ask an answerable question • Find the best evidence to answer the question • Critically appraise that evidence • Integrate it with expertise and the patient’s individual requirements • Evaluate effectiveness of the search for the evidence as well as the outcomes of the application of the evidence

5. Factors Feeding into the Best Decisions • Best evidence • Clinician experience • Patient – unique situation • Research (gathering) • Research evaluation

6. How Do They Do It? “…evidence based medicine requires you to not only read papers, but to read the right papers at the right time and then to alter your behaviour (and what is often more difficult, the behaviour of other people) in light of what you have found…”

7. Asking the Right Question PICO: • P - Defines the Patient or Problem • I - Defines the Intervention • C- Gives a Comparison • O- Describes the clinical outcome

8. PICO Example • P(atient) – in a 60yrs old patient with osteoarthritis • I(ntervention) – does the use of Glucosamine • C(omparison) – as compared to NSAIDs • O(utcome) – give improved pain relief?

9. Getting the Answer • Databases dealing with medicine have search qualifiers built in • Evidence hierarchies • Pre-appraised evidence or secondary evidence • Structured abstracts and paper outlines

10. EBP & Lifelong Learning • Finding the answer is part of the process. • It is important to contribute to the clinicians knowledge base by staying abreast of research and continually learning about new practices, medicines and procedures. • EBP is lifelong learning and realizing that decisions made in a vacuum are not necessarily the best possible decisions.

11. Adding to the Evidence Base • There is also a responsibility for practitioners to add to the knowledge base • Conducting primary research • Evaluating research, applying the results and reporting back to the evidence base on conclusions • Building on previous research to create a particular evidence base

12. EBL – How is it Different ? “Evidence Based Librarianship (EBL) is a means to improve the profession of librarianship by asking questions, finding, critically appraising and incorporating research evidence from library science (and other disciplines) into daily practice. It also involves encouraging librarians to conduct research.”

13. Evidence Based Librarianship Applying the Model • Yes, it can work here • Follow the steps and ask the questions • Changes have to occur • Looking for evidence • Body of knowledge • Adding to the body of evidence • Approach to Research • Communication of research

14. Looking for Evidence - Existing Body of Knowledge • Koufogiannakis, Slater and Crumley reviewed 2664 articles dealing with library and information practice from 2001 publishing year, 30.3% were identified as research articles.

15. Adding to the Body of Evidence • Approach to Research • Incorporate research into our decision making model • Conduct research to answer questions • Communicate research • Write papers that identify research results clearly • Lobby publishers to improve indexing that identifies research types

16. EBL Acceptance • Many articles have been written on the topic of EBL • EBL conferences (England, Alberta and Australia- 2005) • More and more librarians understand the importance of incorporating research into their decision making process to make best use of the budgets and people resources. • But little has been done to make the changes necessary to allow for its incorporation into our daily routines

17. EBL – The Canadian Scene • Presentations • EBL Interest Group – via CLA • EBLIG Listserv – International in membership • CLA Conference 2006 – Ottawa • EBL Journal • Evidence Based Library and Information Practice

18. EBLIG Terms of Reference • To represent the interests of librarians involved in evidence based librarianship and library related research. • To organize continuing education opportunities for librarians in this area. • To provide a means of communication between librarians involved in evidence based librarianship. • To assist librarians with the dissemination of library research utilizing an evidence based model.

19. Listserv To join this discussion list: "SUBSCRIBE EBLIG Firstname Lastname" message to LISTSERV@MORGAN.UCS.MUN.CA.

20. EBL – CLA Conference 2006 • EBLIG looking to sponsor preconference workshop on EBL implementation • EBLIG business meeting • Deadline for conference proposals – September 26, 2005

21. Purpose of the Journal • To enable librarians to practice their profession in an evidence-based manner by facilitating access to the research literature of librarianship via original research articles and evidence summaries of relevant research from the library literature.

22. Journal Structure • Publisher: The University of Alberta (Learning Services) • Editorial Board Selection: Evidence Based Librarianship Interest Group (EBLIG) of the Canadian Library Association • Publication schedule: Quarterly

23. Journal Content • Research articles • Feature Articles (non-research articles including theoretical, opinion, and commentary pieces on of the topic of evidence based librarianship) • News/Announcements • Approximately 10 evidence summaries will be published in each issue.

24. Evidence Summaries – Critical Appraisal Done for You • The Associate Editor (Evidence Summaries) • Monitor a set number of top research journals in librarianship for new research articles • Research considered to be most relevant and of highest quality will be chosen for review. • International team of reviewers will be established • Review and write evidence summaries using a structured format • Will also serve as foundation for “Best Evidence” database

25. EBL Participation At All Levels • Library schools • Library administration • New professionals • More seasoned folk • Associations • Index/Journal publishers

26. You Can Also: • Join EBLIG and the listserv • Get involved with the Journal • Call for Peer Reviewers and Summary Reviewers (October 2005) • First Call for Papers (October 2005) • First Issue Expected (March 1st 2006) • Start asking questions • Pursue research support within your org to get the answers • Build on existing research to create a body of knowledge

27. Discussion Time

28. Evidence Based Library and Information Practice – The Canadian Scene Su Cleyle Associate University Librarian Memorial University of Newfoundland CLA Teleconference Series September 21, 2005