Expanding Our Horizon: Library Research Training Series for Clinical Researchers

Thursday, May 5, 2022

3:30 PM – 3:45 PM CT

Location: 354

Author(s)

LW

Lin Wu, AHIP

Associate Professor/Assistant Director
University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Health Sciences Library, Research & Learning Services
Memphis, Tennessee

Author(s)

DB

Derita Bran

Director of Administration
Tennessee Clinical and Translational Science Institute
Memphis, Tennessee

Presenter and Author(s)

Hilary M. Jasmin

Assistant Professor/Research and Learning Services Librarian
University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Health Sciences Library, Research and Learning Services
Memphis, Tennessee

Slides Slides and Audio

Author(s)

ML

Margaret Lynn

Director of Clinical Research Development, Tennessee Clinical and Translational Science Institute
University of Tennessee Health Science Center
Memphis, Tennessee
Jenessa M. McElfresh, AHIP

Systematic Review Service Coordinator / Senior RLS Librarian / Associate Professor
UTHSC Health Sciences Library / Research & Learning Services
Memphis, Tennessee
Tamara M. Nelson, AHIP

Associate Professor/Senior Research & Learning Services Librarian
University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Health Sciences Library, Research & Learning Services
Memphis, Tennessee
JN

Jess N. Newman

Research Data & Scholarly Communications Lead/Assistant Professor
University of Tennessee Health Science Center
Memphis, Tennessee
Kay Strahan

Assistant Professor/Research & Learning Services Librarian
University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Health Sciences Library, Research & Learning Services
Memphis, Tennessee

Background: Library services targeting clinical researchers have been limited and their research needs may be underserved. Increasing lLibrary visibility on campus has created more collaborative opportunities. This study describes the development and implementation of a collaborative research training series for clinical researchers between the library and the Office of Research. The intended outcomes are (1) to increase participants’ awareness of library resources and librarian expertise valuable to support research activities and (2) to better understand their research needs to direct future library services and training programs. Continuing medical and nursing education credits are awarded to participants upon completion of the program.

Description: The Office of Research (OR) has organized training programs for clinical researchers on variety of topics, but few have related to library resources and services. The team included two OR directors and eight librarians. After a meeting to discuss and identify needs, the library proposed eleven topics aimed to engage, educate, and support clinical researchers. The topic content covers general search skills, database content and availability, access to information, citation management, and scholarly publishing. Each session was recorded and made available for later access. A training satisfaction survey was sent to participants after each session to get their feedback. Before and throughout the series, sessions were continuously marketed/advertised to to the university campuses and to the clinical researchers’ listserv. A library research guide was developed to supplement the training series and to continue library support for clinical researchers.

Conclusion: Eleven sessions were delivered with a total of 157 attendees across the state. As of February 2022, session recordings had a total of 100 views and the research guide had a total of 251 visits. In addition to demographic information, the satisfaction survey asked the participants to rate each training session regarding content and trainer attributes on a 5-point scale with 1 being the lowest and 5 being the highest. All 11 sessions were rated, on average, between 4.2 and 5.0 in all ratings in both categories. When asked “Overall, how would you rate this training?” Library Overview (LO), Enhancing your Searching Skills (ESS), Data Visualizations (DV), and Understanding Research Impact (URI) were rated highest. ESS, DV, and URI were rated most relevant to attendees’ jobs/duties. The most useful sessions were LO, ESS, Library Support Services for Systematic Reviews, and URI. The feedback may help direct future library services and training programs for clinical researchers.