Semi‐automating the manual literature search for systematic reviews increases efficiency

Background: To minimise retrieval bias, manual literature searches are a key part of the search process of any systematic review. Considering the need to have accurate information, valid results of the manual literature search are essential to ensure scientific standards; likewise efficient approaches that minimise the amount of personnel time required to conduct a manual literature search are of great interest. Objective: The objective of this project was to determine the validity and efficiency of a new manual search method that utilises the scopus ? database. Methods: We used the traditional manual search approach as the gold standard to determine the validity and efficiency of the proposed scopus method. Outcome measures included completeness of article detection and personnel time involved. Using both methods independently, we compared the results based on accuracy of the results, validity and time spent conducting the search, efficiency. Results: Regarding accuracy, the scopus method identified the same studies as the traditional approach indicating its validity. In terms of efficiency, using scopus led to a time saving of 62.5% compared with the traditional approach (3 h versus 8 h). Conclusions: The scopus method can significantly improve the efficiency of manual searches and thus of systematic reviews.     

Evaluation of evidence-based medicine search skills in the clinical years

The librarians of the Health Sciences Library worked with the director of the Primary Care Clerkship to reinforce the principles of Evidence-Based Medicine (EBM) searching, taught during the first two years of medical school, through an intensive workshop. The purpose of the program was to ensure that students apply EBM principles in a timely and effective manner in clinical situations. Working in teams led by a resident and librarian, students researched real cases and then evaluated the effectiveness of their approach to the problems. This paper outlines the rationale for the team approach, reviews the administration of a computer-based workshop, and discusses the evaluation process. Evaluation focused on both the current workshop and its implications for the informatics program presented to students during years one and two.     

SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS AND DISABILITY ACT: WHAT IS MEANT BY ‘REASONABLE ADJUSTMENTS’?

This paper reports on a study investigating the effectiveness of the Special Educational Needs and Disability Act (SENDA) in university libraries, focusing specifically on the extent to which the requirement to make ‘reasonable adjustments’ influences disability provision. The research aimed to evaluate the current provision for disabled students and to analyse the factors that influenced the current state. The results indicated that all libraries were aware of SENDA and had made significant implementations, including assigning a disability representative, making physical adjustments to the building and purchasing assistive technology. However, the quality of provision was inconsistent across the sector, resulting in disabled students enjoying equal opportunities within one library, but not within another. Reasons for this included a lack of institutional financial support requiring a library to fund adjustments itself, an inability to find the time to carry out the work involved, and the physical state of the building prohibiting certain adjustments being made. Recommendations to improve this situation include: improving guidance by advertising examples of best practice and forming support networks; instigating a programme of monitoring by authority personnel to ensure compliance and consistency; and assigning an assistive technology officer who is equipped to deal with this growing area.     

Convergence Concerns in Local Television: Conflicting Views From the Newsroom

This nationwide survey studies the impact of convergence on reporters and producers in small and medium local television markets. The article examines the manner in which convergence-related responsibilities affect the daily routines of these news workers. It also assesses their perceptions of convergence and challenges they face, including concerns about the impact of convergence on the quality of their work. Authors compare these views to the opinions of news directors across the United States (gathered in previous research), finding significant differences between news workers' perspectives and those of their bosses.     

The Constitutive Relationship of Social Communication Competence to Self-Compassion and Hope

Communication is constitutive—in theory. In research, however, communication is often treated as an outcome, influenced by personal attributes. The present research examines social communication competence as a constitutive influence predicting self-compassion and hope. Path analysis results support this hypothesis. Results show that social communication expressivity (β = .14), sensitivity (β = –.32), and control (β = .20) predict self-compassion. Social communication sensitivity (β = .26) and control (β = .27) affect hope agency, and social communication control (β = .29) predicts hope pathways thinking. These results provide evidence of the constitutive nature of communication.     

Pictures,patience, and practicalities: lessons learned from using photovoice in applied communication contexts

The unforeseen trials of arts-based research may suppress creative and innovative explorations. Photovoice, a visual method of investigation employing participatory photography, presents a host of apprehensions. Yet, photovoice is both a valid and rich methodology that can greatly expand the reach and scope of applied communication research. In this essay, we – three applied communication researchers – discuss the complexities of photovoice, highlighting areas of consideration that interested researchers should contemplate before utilizing this methodology. Briefly exploring three of our research studies and their varying topics (i.e. long-term cancer survivors, domestic violence organizational advocacy, male body culture), we discuss three broad areas of difficulty in photovoice research: analysis, control, and exposure. Despite the unique obstacles that photovoice presents, we argue that it, along with other forms of arts-based research, are profitable and definitely worth the challenge.     

Are We There Yet? Calculating Wait Time for Popular Digital Titles

E-books and audiobooks are becoming increasingly popular in the United States. Unfortunately, the supply of digital titles does not meet the demand. Library patrons must frequently wait for weeks to receive popular e-books. We examined the issue of wait time for e-book and audiobook titles using three public library patron accounts to gather data consisting of the average daily number of wait spots for each title, and days until the title was available. Based on our observations, we propose the Waiting Reduction Rate (WRR) formula to determine the average number of wait spots per title as a metric to help determine a better holds-to-copy ratio for electronic materials and reduce patron wait time.     

Activating the curriculum: a socio-ecological action research frame for health and physical education

The health and physical education (HPE) profession needs to find alternatives to its individualistic and performative focus if it is to remain relevant and meaningful for all learners. This paper presents a way of framing HPE that helps to shift the focus from the individual as autonomous decision-maker, and goes beyond sport and fitness testing as the main contexts for learning. To do this we present the socio-ecological action research (SEAR) frame for unit development that was co-created and enacted over a six-month period involving dialogue between teachers, students, parents, researchers and community. This paper presents findings from semi-structured interviews, student artefacts and field notes collected as one component of a broader three-phase study which spanned three years. The data describe how generalist primary teachers (n=4) from a small Victorian community and their students (aged 8–10 years) tackled a unit of work that positioned centrally the everyday physical experiences of active school travel (AST). Teachers supported students in exploring barriers to their AST, and developing strategies that would counteract some of the negative perceptions that had limited their AST in the past. The findings suggest that the unit of work evolved from an exploration of AST into a much broader exploration of the whole community. This paper does not provide evidence for an alternative way to view HPE, rather it represents an embryonic exploration of how a SEAR frame might support teachers in applying inquiry-based pedagogies that extend beyond the individual as autonomous decision-maker, and promote opportunities for exploration and understanding of environmental, social and personal factors that influence our health and everyday physically active lives. Despite students being positioned as central actors within the SEAR frame, obtaining genuine student voice throughout the process proved challenging.     

Sensemaking and social processes in digital government projects

This research identifies main feedback dynamics associated with social processes necessary to make sense of ambiguous project goals, typical of large digital government projects. The study reports on findings from a case analysis using participatory approaches in system dynamics, based on a digital government project integrating information systems of New York's criminal justice agencies. Findings stress the importance of visuals in the sensemaking process that results from the interaction of technical and social outcomes produced through identifying and continuously re-interpreting main project issues and goals. Project analyses suggest that requisite elements of successfully managing this type of project include 1) facilitation that enables diversity of ideas, 2) shared visuals and re-presentations of participants' efforts to work on the issues, and 3) iterative social construction of objectives, progress, and valid processes for doing the work; each of these plays a role in three different feedback processes sustaining (or undermining) the group engagement needed to yield successful integrative work. The study contributes to the literature in digital government by introducing the lenses of people-centered project management processes, an emerging approach in project management, to underscore the role of social processes in technical projects.