Identifying Gaps in the Literature Janice Hermer & Kevin Pardon

Identifying Gaps in the Literature Janice Hermer & Kevin Pardon ASU Library

Who are we? Your Health Sciences Librarians! [email protected] 602-496-0683 [email protected] 602-496-0487

Purpose Identifying Gaps in the Research allows you to: Consolidate known information Informs your research decisions Argument for funding

Background/Starting Out: Do you have a research question? What do we know about this topic? Are you applying for a grant?

Methods to Identifying Gaps Environmental Scan Rapid Review Systematic Review Scoping Review

Environmental Scan .is the art of systematically exploring and taking note of what is the external environment of your organization in part to better understand the nature of trends and deep drivers of change.ES are used to provide decision-makers with knowledge about current social, economic, technological and political contexts, and to identify any potential short- and long-term shifts Source: http://hlwiki.slais.ubc.ca/index.php/Environmental scans

Rapid Review .is a research methodology that uses shorter timeframes than for other evidence-based summaries. It provides a timely and valid view of evidence but sacrifices rigour. As such, RRs are both review and assessment, and respond to urgent clinical and public health-related questions. They aim to provide robust analyses of easily-retrievable evidence in less than six weeks.typically requiring fewer resources and funding Source: http://hlwiki.slais.ubc.ca/index.php/Rapid reviews

Systematic Review .is an investigation of a clearly-formulated question that uses methodical and explicit steps to identify, select, and critically appraise relevant research, and to collect and analyze data from any appropriate studies that may be found. Source: http://hlwiki.slais.ubc.ca/index.php/Systematic review

Systematic Review: Process A series of searches for papers or studies A comparison of important features in each study against a list of inclusion and/or exclusion criteria A detailed critical appraisal of each study for risk of bias and potential confounding factors Detailed methodology must be documented for publication

Scoping Review .are exploratory projects that systematically map the literature on a topic, identifying key concepts, theories and sources of evidence. SR aim to address broader, more complex, and exploratory research questions [as opposed to] systematic reviews which are designed to answer precisely defined, narrow questions Source: http://hlwiki.slais.ubc.ca/index.php/Scoping reviews

Scoping Review Scoping Reviews are commonly used to better understand phenomena and to evaluate where research on the topic has or has not been completed. Scoping Reviews are often a first step in conducting a Systematic Review Source: http://hlwiki.slais.ubc.ca/index.php/Scoping reviews

Scoping Review vs Systematic Review Study question Often Broad Focused Search Strategy Systematic & transparent Systematic & transparent Inclusion/exclusion criteria Study appraisal Synthesis Flexible None/minor Typically qualitative Defined a priori Yes Often quantitative

Identify Research Interests Developing a clear question

Planning your Review Search Strategy (What databases will you search, keywords, subject terms, limits, etc.) Inclusion Criteria & Exclusion Criteria Documentation of process

Planning your Review Test Searches/background searches to inform your question and search strategy Refine/alter question?

Conducting your Search Search databases Look for grey literature Hand searching Document everything!

Analyzing your Search Results Refer back to your criteria Discover trends Look for gaps Follow Up Searches

Additional Strategies/Tools Set up Alerts Sign up for ORCID ID RefWorks

What’s Next? Organize information Draft paper Apply for grant(s) Publish! Plan the next round of research

Selecting a Journal

Selecting a Journal Talk to your Colleagues & Peers Locate articles on your topic or similar topic and see what journals they are published in Look at previously published articles from journals you are considering

Selecting a Journal Avoid Predatory Publishers

Our Services Teach advanced search skills Advise on journal selection, scholarly communication, copyright, impact factor, & more Consult on search strategy Consult on information organization and planning stages

Questions? Discussion?

Sample articles Environmental Scan Rapid Review Scoping Review Systematic Review Grant, M. J., & Booth, A. (2009). A typology of reviews: An analysis of 14 review types a nd associated methodologies . Health Information & Libraries Journal, 26(2), 91-108. doi:10.1111/j.1471-1842.2009.00848.x