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No. 125 | |
May/June 2005 |
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Expert Searching The following article describes an unfortunate clinical case illustrating the importance of a thorough biomedical literature search. The medical librarian community, including the UAMS Library, is dedicated to educating researchers about the skills required to perform a comprehensive search. The UAMS Library provides individualized research consultations and curriculum-based educational training for students, faculty and staff in the use of literature databases, evidence-based medicine resources, and more. The Library also provides free biomedical literature searches for the UAMS faculty by expert searchers. These services are especially encouraged for those involved in research with human subjects. The Library also currently has a librarian serving on the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) to assist researchers with the animal alternatives search required in the Animal Use Protocol. To take advantage of these free search services, fill out the following form (https://www.library.uams.edu/forms/cars.asp) or contact the UAMS Reference Department at 686-6734 or e-mail (libraryreferencedesk@uams.edu). This article has been republished with permission from the Medical Library Association, MLA News, April 2005, page 13, www.mlanet.org. “ EXPERT SEARCHING This quarterly column features timely topics relevant to expert database searching by librarians. Please forward submissions for this column to Terry Ann Jankowski, AHIP. The unanticipated death of a healthy research study volunteer at a major university highlights the importance of a comprehensive and exhaustive literature search in the conduct of responsible research [1]. When this tragic event was investigated, it became evident that many researchers who perform literature searches have little guidance about what constitutes an appropriate or sufficient search to protect and support human subject research. In 2003, the Health Sciences Library System (HSLS) at the University of Pittsburgh (Pitt) began developing “Responsible Literature Searching for Research: A Self-Paced Interactive Educational Program” to address this need. The program’s objectives were to describe and teach generally accepted practices and principles associated with the biomedical literature search process and emphasize the HSLS resources and services available to support this process. This self-instructional program is available through the Pitt’s Education and Certification Program in Research and Practice Fundamentals Website. Completing the module is highly recommended for individuals involved in research with human subjects at Pitt. It provides clinical researchers with knowledge of how to locate literature to facilitate the design of scientifically sound research studies and to protect human subjects from harm. Anyone can view the module without a password, but an account is required to access or complete the quizzes or tests. In November 2004, the program was introduced at a meeting of the American Association of Medical Colleges. The attendees who viewed the module suggested a variety of populations who would benefit from completing this program, including medical students, residents in programs with research components, and nursing students in distance education programs. Because the module is based on principles applicable in most research-oriented settings, HSLS will make the content available to other academic health sciences libraries and medical centers for adaptating to their local settings and resources. In addition to the author of this article, a number of individuals contributed to the development and review of the module including Laura Abate, Linda J. Collins, AHIP, Janis Glover, AHIP, Kathy J. Davis, Geraldine Wanserski, and several HSLS librarians: Rebecca Abromitis, June Bandemer, AHIP, Renae Barger, Jaime Friel Blanck, Michelle Burda, Barbara Epstein, AHIP, Michele Klein Fedyshin, AHIP, Barbara Folb, Jill Foust, Amy Gregg, Linda Hartman, Andrea Ketchum, Mary Lou Klem, Alice Kuller, Ammon Ripple, Ester Saghafi, Nancy Tannery, and Patricia Weiss. For more information about the program, contact Charles B. Wessel or 412.648.8730. Reference
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