Reflection of Needs: Faculty Survey on Systematic Review Experiences and Expectations

Friday, April 29, 2022

1:35 PM – 1:40 PM CT

Presenter and Author(s)

MF

Margaret J. Foster, AHIP

Director of the Center for Systematic Reviews
Medical Sciences Library
Texas A&M University
College Station, Texas

Slides

Author(s)

Stephanie Fulton

Associate Dean and Director
Texas A & M University
University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
COLLEGE STATION, Texas
MC

Molly E. Crews, MLS

Systematic Review Librarian
Medical Sciences Library
T. Derek Halling, MLIS

Associate Professor/Director
Texas A&M University Libraries/Subject Librarians
College Station, Texas
BH

Bruce E. Herbert, PhD

Director
Office of Scholarly Communications
College Station, Texas
RS

Robin Sewell

Interim Associate Director for Client Services
Texas A&M University, Medical Sciences Library
College Station, Texas

Objectives: To describe a survey designed to capture faculty feedback on their perceived needs for resources or support for research syntheses and systematic review projects

Methods: A brief online survey was developed to collect faculty reports of activities related to systematic and other reviews. A widely distributed email was sent across campus to all faculty. Details requested include their roles, types of reviews, teaching or mentoring experiences, and training they have received. We queried about resources they have used to support these activities and their familiarity with standards and software. Lastly, we asked about their expectations for students and the resources provided to students.

Results: 225 surveys were received, with half of the participants reported being tenured with over 10 years of experience at the university, across 14 colleges or schools. Types of reviews conducted were 30% traditional reviews, 25% systematic reviews, 16%, scoping reviews, and 15% meta-analysis. Familiarity with software or standards and departmental resources were low, while 50% of faculty reported expectations of graduate students to be able to conduct reviews. A quarter of the participants agreed to be part of a follow-up interview,

Conclusions: The results of this survey will provide a benchmark for faculty reported activities and expectations related to systematic reviews and help to guide services to meet those needs. The follow-up interviews will be conducted over the spring semester to further explore needs to support conducting and teaching reviews.