Information skills training: a systematic review of the literature

The objectives of this study were to undertake a systematic review to determine the effectiveness of information skills training, to identify effective methods of training and to determine whether information skills training affects patient care. A systematic review, using an iterative approach to searching, was employed. Studies selected for inclusion in the review were critically appraised using a tool used in previous reviews. A tabular approach was used to provide a summary of each paper allowing synthesis of results. One thousand, three hundred and fifty-seven potentially relevant papers were located. On the basis of titles and abstracts, 41 potentially relevant studies were identified for potential inclusion. Further reading and application of the inclusion criteria left 24 studies for critical appraisal and inclusion in the review. Study designs included randomised controlled trials, cohort designs and qualitative studies. The majority of studies took place in US medical schools. Wide variations were found in course content and training methods. Eight studies used objective methods to test skills, two compared training methods and two examined the effects on patient care. There was limited evidence to show that training improves skills, insufficient evidence to determine the most effective methods of training and limited evidence to show that training improves patient care. Further research is needed in a number of areas.     

Electronic data interchange usage in China's healthcare organizations: the case of Beijing's hospitals

China has long since realized the potential benefits of adopting electronic data exchange. In particular, the Chinese government is promoting the usage of electronic data interchange (EDI) in healthcare organizations. However, little research has described the current status of EDI usage in these organizations. This study investigates the extent of EDI usage in Beijing's hospitals along four dimensions: volume, diversity, breadth, and depth. The results from 57 hospitals show that EDI usage is in its very early stages. The study provides possible reasons for the low EDI usage from cultural, economic, and technological perspectives, analyzes the differences of EDI usage in the different levels of China's hospitals, and suggests strategies to promote EDI usage in China's healthcare organizations.     

Altering instructional delivery options to improve intervention outcomes: Does increased instructional intensity also increase instructional effectiveness?

With limited educational resources and numerous other variables that complicate effective teaching, educators need to think prudently about how to allocate resources. In essence, teachers must allocate resources in ways that will best maximize student learning. However, minimal research has systematically evaluated whether increased instructional intensity and resources meaningfully increase instructional effectiveness. As a preliminary attempt to address this research question, this study systematically evaluated the differential effectiveness of three intervention options that integrated the same instructional components but required varying levels of resources (i.e., teacher time for instructional delivery). To better isolate the research question, this study specifically evaluated interventions designed to improve students' reading fluency. Overall findings suggested that increased instructional intensity does not necessarily equate with increased instructional effectiveness. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Effectiveness of information skills training and mediated searching: qualitative results from the EMPIRIC project

OBJECTIVES: To explore library staff and health professionals' views on the effectiveness of information skills training and librarian mediated searching as methods of providing information for patient care. This is the second article describing the Effective Methods of Providing InfoRmation for patIent Care (EMPIRIC) project. The first paper, in a previous issue of this journal (Brettle et al. The costs and effectiveness of information skills training and mediated searching: quantitative results for the EMPIRIC project. Health Information and Libraries Journal 2006, 23, 239-247) describes the quantitative results. METHODS: A questionnaire survey to library staff and health professionals in the North West. Data was collected on perceptions of services, satisfaction and service usage. Statistical data were analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) and qualitative data using thematic analysis. RESULTS: Both information skills training and mediated searches are perceived by library staff and health professionals to be effective. There is strong support for mediated searches carried out on behalf of the health professional and information skills training to enable them to carry out their own searches. The results provide insights into the effectiveness of the services and the factors that make them effective. CONCLUSIONS: Evidence and stakeholders views support the provision of both information skills training and mediated search services. Both services are valued by users who see them as complementary methods of obtaining information depending on their needs at different times.     

Evaluating information skills training in health libraries: a systematic review

Introduction: Systematic reviews have shown that there is limited evidence to demonstrate that the information literacy training health librarians provide is effective in improving clinicians’ information skills or has an impact on patient care. Studies lack measures which demonstrate validity and reliability in evaluating the impact of training. Aim: To determine what measures have been used; the extent to which they are valid and reliable; to provide guidance for health librarians who wish to evaluate the impact of their information skills training. Methods: Data sources: Systematic review methodology involved searching seven databases, and personal files. Study selection: Studies were included if they were about information skills training, used an objective measure to assess outcomes, and occurred in a health setting. Results: Fifty‐four studies were included in the review. Most outcome measures used in the studies were not tested for the key criteria of validity and reliability. Three tested for validity and reliability are described in more detail. Conclusions: Selecting an appropriate measure to evaluate the impact of training is a key factor in carrying out any evaluation. This systematic review provides guidance to health librarians by highlighting measures used in various circumstances, and those that demonstrate validity and reliability.     

A new composite measure of ethnic diversity: Investigating the controversy over minority ethnic recruitment at Oxford and Cambridge universities

Measuring ethnic diversity currently amounts simply to counting ethnicities. This makes it impossible to correlate with achievement, to track changes over time or to compare institutions in a meaningful way. It is not clear, for example, whether it is more diverse to have many ethnicities with a large majority in one or two categories, or to have fewer ethnicities with a larger proportion in each. This article is not about race per se, but develops indices from cryptography and ecology to solve the problem of measuring diversity properly. Using data from freedom of information requests and university admissions offices, it analyses the ethnic diversity of undergraduate recruitment at Oxford and Cambridge universities over the past 10 years to resolve one of the most controversial issues in higher education today. It finds that both Oxford and Cambridge universities have increased ethnic diversity by more than 25% over the last decade, but that the problem of under-recruitment of black UK students remains. The article is an important contribution to research methodology, with clear applications in the field of school effectiveness, and informs the debate on social justice in education, particularly in a period of significant demographic change across Europe.     

Prospective Relationships Between Ethnic Discrimination and Substance Use by Mexican-American Adolescents

Guided by the integrative model (García Coll et al., 1996), this study examines prospective associations between perceived ethnic discrimination by peers, parental support, and substance use from 7th to 11th grades (M_age = 12.3–16.3 years) in a community sample of 674 Mexican-American adolescents. Results from a cross-lagged panel model indicate that discrimination predicts relative increases in adolescent substance use. Results also revealed a transactional relation between substance use and supportive parenting over time. Supportive parenting was associated with reductions in substance use, but adolescent substance use also predicted lower levels of later parental support. The findings suggest reducing discrimination by peers and supportive parenting as potential targets for intervention in the prevention of substance use.     

Counseling Students’ Emotions During Cultural Immersion: Impact on Reactance

Counselor trainees’ multicultural development is a process that engenders strong emotions. The authors inventoried students’ emotions in cultural immersion activities and assessed their impact on course reactance. Findings indicated that reactance was shaped by both negative and positive emotions and that cultural immersion can be universally challenging for students.     

Integrating evidence-based reading practices into middle-school content instruction: exploring a facet of sustainability

Reading comprehension models are being implemented in content-area settings to boost reading achievement. Yet, little research explores how such models are incorporated into teachers’ daily instructional practice. The authors used extended observations and interviews to examine the integration of Collaborative Strategic Reading (CSR), an evidence-based reading comprehension model, into the instructional practices of 15 middle school science, social studies, and language arts teachers. Findings indicated that high-integration teachers embedded CSR lessons into their curriculum and reinforced CSR strategy use throughout the week. These teachers also felt supported in their efforts by colleagues and school administrators. There is much to be learned from the ways in which teachers engage in the art of integrating new methods into their teaching.