When/if You Search Guidelines in Ovid Medline

Not scientifically validated, but I have been working quite extensively on this. Feel free to refine them:

1. exp Guideline/
2. exp Guidelines as Topic/
3. guideline.pt.
4. exp Practice Guideline/
5. exp Practice Guidelines as Topic/
6. practice guideline$.mp.
7. practice guideline.pt.
8. CPG$.tw.
9. exp Health Planning Guidelines/
10. best practi$.mp.
11. ((practice or consensus or position) adj2 (guideline$ or recommendation$ or statement$)).tw.
12. professional standard$.tw.
13. "standard of care".tw.
14. or/1-13

What is a Scoping Review?

I'm currently involved in working on a "scoping review" with MHCC. These types of reviews seem to be fairly popular in some fields as a way to get an initial idea of the extent and nature of the literature on a topic, where that literature is located, how rigorous it is, and any gaps. Often a scoping review will serve as an initial step towards a more systematic review.

However, the term "scoping review" is often thrown around without a clear understanding of the methods or what's involved. One of my researcher colleagues pointed me to quite a good article that attempts to provide a methodological framework for scoping reviews, and then I found a more recent followup article that fleshes the concept out even further. If you're ever asked to work on one of these, you might find these two articles useful:

Arksey, H. and L. O'Malley (2005). "Scoping studies: towards a methodological framework." International Journal of Social Research Methodology 8(1): 19-32.
This paper focuses on scoping studies, an approach to reviewing the literature which to date has received little attention in the research methods literature. We distinguish between different types of scoping studies and indicate where these stand in relation to full systematic reviews. We outline a framework for conducting a scoping study based on our recent experiences of reviewing the literature on services for carers for people with mental health problems. Where appropriate, our approach to scoping the field is contrasted with the procedures followed in systematic reviews. We emphasize how including a consultation exercise in this sort of study may enhance the results, making them more useful to policy makers, practitioners and service users. Finally, we consider the advantages and limitations of the approach and suggest that a wider debate is called for about the role of the scoping study in relation to other types of literature reviews.

Levac, D., H. Colquhoun, et al. (2010). "Scoping studies: advancing the methodology." Implementation Science 5(1): 69.
BACKGROUND:Scoping studies are an increasingly popular approach to reviewing health research evidence. In 2005, Arksey and O'Malley published the first methodological framework for conducting scoping studies. While this framework provides an excellent foundation for scoping study methodology, further clarifying and enhancing this framework will help support the consistency with which authors undertake and report scoping studies and may encourage researchers and clinicians to engage in this process.

DISCUSSION:We build upon our experiences conducting three scoping studies using the Arksey and O'Malley methodology to propose recommendations that clarify and enhance each stage of the framework. Recommendations include: clarifying and linking the purpose and research question (stage one); balancing feasibility with breadth and comprehensiveness of the scoping process (stage two); using an iterative team approach to selecting studies (stage three) and extracting data (stage four); incorporating a numerical summary and qualitative thematic analysis, reporting results, and considering the implications of study findings to policy, practice, or research (stage five); and incorporating consultation with stakeholders as a required knowledge translation component of scoping study methodology (stage six). Lastly, we propose additional considerations for scoping study methodology in order to support the advancement, application and relevance of scoping studies in health research.

SUMMARY:Specific recommendations to clarify and enhance this methodology are outlined for each stage of the Arksey and O'Malley framework. Continued debate and development about scoping study methodology will help to maximize the usefulness and rigor of scoping study findings within healthcare research and practice.

Which citation manager works best with an iPad?

I'm on the HSL reference desk this afternoon, and received this interesting question. Which is the best? I left it in the hands of the client but thought I would share what I discovered and invite others to weigh in:

Mendeley:

• Has an app for iPad (and iPhone, iPod touch)


• The app is pretty awesome, syncs automatically with the web version of Mendeley


• Whatever PDFs you have synced will be stored in your app BUT you can't save new PDFs to the app, it must be saved to the desktop version of Mendeley


• Can access SFX links through the "web version" of the record

Refworks:

• Has a mobile version of the site, which is nice for smart phones BUT for iPad you are better off using the full version, this renders nicely on the iPad


• Don't get sfx links with mobile version (at least I couldn't see them)


• I said that this citation manager was best supported by staff and by vendor

Endnote:

• Has a mobile version of site

Upcoming Education Institute courses

Here are some fabulous online courses coming up in February:

Did I answer your question? Techniques to Recharge Your Reference Interview

Four week Online Course starting Monday February 6, 2012 (work at your own pace)

Wouldn’t you like library users to tell you what they really want when they ask you for help? Do you ever spend time looking for an answer to the question the user asked and then have to backtrack and start over when you discover what the real question is?

In this course, you’ll discover the reality of reference service, including why people just can’t ask the “real” question. You will acquire ways to learn, observe, and practice the key elements of a good reference interview so that you can have more satisfying and successful reference encounters. You will undertake a variety of exercises that will help you quickly size up your customer’s wants and needs, and you will acquire new techniques that you can apply the very next day.

Who Should Participate?

Anyone who provides assistance to clients or the public in a library or information centre will benefit from this program. Because reference skills require practice, you’ll get the most out of this course if you can spend at least some time each week actively applying the techniques you have learned at a reference or information desk.

Key Topics You'll Explore At This Workshop

o Why people can’t ask the “real” question

o Understanding the role of the patron’s initial question; setting the tone with your first response

o Basics of “sense-making” in uncovering the user’s information gaps

o Open, closed, neutral, and closing questions – what they are, when to use them

o Guiding users to solutions with advice, recommendations, and negotiations

o Practice, Practice, Practice: scenarios and exercises to try at your reference desk

Method of Instruction

Each week, you’ll receive an email with the lesson for that week plus practice exercises that will help you work through the week’s material and reinforce your learning. A web-based bulletin board will enable you and other participants to ask questions of the instructor and to provide online feedback.

Instructor: Rita Vine, University of Toronto Libraries

Rita Vine is a senior reference librarian at the University of Toronto’s Gerstein Science Information Centre, and acting Information Literacy librarian for the University Libraries. Since 2002, Rita has developed and delivered both instructor-led and online courses related to the reference interview. Rita's courses distill the research on reference effectiveness into practical, learnable techniques that, when mastered, enhance the reference process and make delivering information service more satisfying and meaningful to both patrons and library staff.

Facelifts for special libraries: Practical tips for giving your library a makeover: a four part series

Four Week Online Course starting Wednesday February 8, 2012 at 1pm ET

Tired of looking at the same old four walls? Want to give your small library a lift but don’t have much money or time? Library makeovers don’t have to be expensive or terribly time-consuming. With a little planning and some creative thinking, you’d be surprised at what you might come up with.

Key Topics You'll Explore At This Workshop

o Participants will learn techniques to assess their existing spaces

o Participants will learn ways to build successful teams for their revitalization projects

o Participants will learn basic project planning skills

o Participants will learn basic techniques for reading and developing floor plans

o Participants will learn about basic tools for revitalizing their digital library spaces with web tools or social media

Part One: Assessment and Planning

1. Internal and external assessments

2. Build support for your project

Part Two: Basic Project management techniques

1. Build your project team

2. Project planning

Part Three: Revitalization ideas for physical spaces

1) Simple ways to revitalize your physical spaces

o Interior design

o Floor plans and layouts

o Green tips

Part Four: Revitalization ideas for digital spaces

1. Simple ways to revitalize your digital spaces

o Renovating your intranet or web presence

o Use of social media to connect with your users

o Other tools

Method of Instruction

Each Wednesday at 1pm ET you'll meet online for a one hour web conference with the instructor and your fellow students. Dawn will lead you through a different topic each week and give you follow up reading and assignments to take away and apply to your own library. You'll come away with practical skills to apply to your own library makeover!

Speaker Bio:

Dawn Bassett is the Coordinator of Library Services for the Canadian Grain Commission and the Current Treasurer of the Western Chapter of the SLA. Dawn holds a BA in English Literature from Simon Fraser University and an MLIS from the School of Library, Archival and Information Studies (SLAIS) at the University of British Columbia. Dawn has had the pleasure of working as a corporate librarian in both for profit and not-for-profit special libraries, as an academic reference librarian and as an independent researcher.

Education Institute
T 416.363.3388 x.230 T 866.873.9867 C 647.286.9780
Website Twitter Facebook LinkedIn

Quick Links into the Databases

Hi Everyone,

Here's quick links into some of the databases in case the Web sites aren't working. They're IP authenticated, so if you're going in from a UofC computer, it'll only show licensed resources for the University.

e-CPS for HINC: http://hinc.lib.ucalgary.ca/login/ECPS
e-CPS for UofC: http://ezproxy.lib.ucalgary.ca:2048/login/ETP
Ebsco (CINAHL): http://search.ebscohost.com/
Natural Standard: http://www.naturalstandard.com/
MD Consult: http://www.mdconsult.com/
Ovid (MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO): http://gateway.ovid.com/autologin.html
Natural Standard: http://www.naturalstandard.com/
STAT!Ref: http://online.statref.com/default.aspx?grpalias=HKN
UpToDate: http://www.uptodateonline.com/

Taryn

RefWorks February 2012 Webinar Schedule

Available from: http://www.refworks-cos.com/training/

1) RefWorks Administration Functions (75 minutes)

2) RefShare 2.0 (45 minutes)

3) How to teach RefWorks 2.0 in 15 Minutes

4) Beyond Direct Export: Five Other Ways to Import Information to RefWorks (30 minutes)

5) Using RefWorks to Quickly Import Citations and Write a Paper (30 minutes)

6) Gather and Organize your Research Sources in RefWorks—Part 1 (30 minutes)

7) Gather and Organize your Research Sources in RefWorks—Part 2 (30 minutes)

8) Write-N-Cite 4 For Windows Overview

New MeSH Descriptors - 2012

Examples:
MH OLD = Technology, Medical []
MH NEW = Medical Laboratory Science

MH OLD = Translational Research [P]
MH NEW = Translational Medical Research

See the full list at: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/newd.html

Qualitative Research Institute Summer 2012 Courses

International Institute for Qualitative Methodology 2012 Summer Course
http://www.iiqm.ualberta.ca/en/ResearchTraining.aspx

Some of you may be interested in the courses offered by this Institute in Edmonton. They offer intensive, week long courses in summer 2012

The contact I spoke with said: no pre-requisites for this, and there usually is not a problem for the Institute to accommodate all those who want to participate in the workshops, although registering early is the best way to ensure a spot.

RefWorks RefShare Link not working

Unfortunately, the Refshare link in RefWorks is not working. (this is the link generated when users wish to share their foldlers of references with colleagues). While the RefShare options are all still in place, an error message appears when attempting to click on the RefShare link (i.e. e-mail share).

RefWorks Support has been contacted regarding this issue. An update will be sent once this is resolved.

LactMed: a useful drug resource

I just got a literature search request in the consultation suite from someone wanting to know about the effects of a certain drug on milk supply and nursing infants, and I thought I'd take some time to post a little promotion for one of my favourite drug databases: LactMed, which I'm not sure everyone knows. It's an NLM database that offers wonderful summaries on each drug; their effects on milk production, how much of the drug enters the breastmilk; effects on the baby; and alternative drugs to use if the drug you're considering is not safe. Of course you can find this information in our subscription resources too, but LactMed has it all in one place, it's very easy to read, and it's even a great consumer health resource; I've recommended it to a lot of my friends. In the case of the literature search request I just got, the summary for the drug in question was last updated two months ago.

JCHLA Current Research

Too busy to read that big stack of library journals piling up on your desk or in your RSS feed? In every issue of JCHLA I do a roundup of the most interesting medical librarianship research I find in the latest medical and library journals. My first column is available in the current issue at http://pubs.chla-absc.ca/doi/full/10.5596/c11-040. If you come across a great article in your travels, feel free to suggest it to me.

Free webinars of interest

The Canadian Partnership Against Cancer's Capacity Enhancement Program (affiliated with McMaster) is offering a bunch of upcoming webinars that might be of interest on topics such as meta-analysis, knowledge translation, and guideline adaptation. They appear to be free. For full details, see http://cancerguidelines.ca/Guidelines/events/webinars.php.

They also have an archive of past webinars, which you can view in their entirety at http://cancerguidelines.ca/Guidelines/events/webinararchives.php. Some of the topics there include critical appraisal and guideline development.

Socializing with the 2012 mascot

The CHLA 2012 mascot will be coming to Calgary soon. Any suggestions for fun or epic Calgary places to visit? Please comment below.

Suggestions already in play:

• Calgary Zoo


• Tebowing at the TFDL


• ACH


• have him visit a few people, sit on their desks, etc - Perhaps Yongtao as Hospital Librarian.


• Something with a Calgary sign


• Canada Olympic Park


• Perhaps he could have coffee at the Good Earth.


• TRW where Will and Kate were


• I can take the tiger home and introduce him to Malcolm's stuffed tiger and snap a few pics. - Heather