scholarly journals Evidence or Evidence Based Practice? An Analysis of IASL Research Forum Papers, 1998-2009

2011 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 4
Author(s):  
Marcia A. Mardis

Objective - Conferences are essential opportunities for professional development and for learning about research. This study analyses papers presented in the Research Forum track of the International Association of School Librarians (IASL) conferences to determine whether the amount of school library research reporting increased or decreased over time; who (i.e., what author roles and affiliations) has written about research; which countries were represented in the research articles; what topics were discussed in research articles; and what research methodologies were used. The aim was to determine the extent to which the Research Forum provides research evidence that relates to practice. Methods - This study continues the longitudinal analysis of published school library research begun by Clyde (1996) by analyzing Research Forum papers published in IASL conference proceedings from 1998-2009 and using the same approaches and metrics as previous studies by Clyde (e.g., 1996; 2002; 2004), Clyde and Oberg (2004), and Oberg (2006). Results - Conference paper topics, author origins, quantities, and research approaches remained static through the 11 years analyzed. The analysis reveals that the papers’ authors, methods, and topics reflected those found in previous studies of school library research. As well as replicating previous studies, the role of academic research at a practitioner-based conference was investigated. Conclusions - Based on long-established imperatives from leaders in the profession, the IASL conferences provide both evidence and evidence -based practice for school librarians from all over the world. However, when scholarly research is shared at practitioner venues, it is possible that school librarians may assume that research results constitute evidence -based practice (EBP), not evidence upon which practice should be based. This distinction is important if considering that the purpose of academic research is to objectively inform, not to advocate a particular position or practice. The Research Forum can be a valuable venue for the presentation of empirical research findings and conclusions and objective program evaluations and provide a valuable complement to the evidence -based practice descriptions shared in the Professional Papers portion of the conference program. It is argued that the Research Forum must be clear in its purpose: to present the results of research; to present effective practice determined by rigorous evaluation; or to present research-supported arguments for the support of school libraries. Through a reconceptualization of EBP, the paper demonstrates how EBP is both a method and a methodology for the presentation of school library research and practice in a conference atmosphere.

2021 ◽  
pp. 109-120
Author(s):  
Caroline Wavell

This paper discusses a small study in which six secondary school librarians were asked to identify and describe incidents of student learning during or after curriculum-related, library-based activities. The participants were asked to repeat the exercise after reflecting on potentially relevant research articles, standards and learning frameworks. The study builds upon existing research examining student learning in the school library and explores the connections between student learning and evidence-based practice. The findings are expected to contribute to our understanding of how librarians use indicators of learning and librarians' own learning in relation to the experience of looking at student activity and progress.


2009 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 78 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ross J. Todd

Objective – This paper provides an overview of progress and developments surrounding evidence based practice in school librarianship, and seeks to provide a picture of current thinking about evidence based practice as it relates to the field. It addresses current issues and challenges facing the adoption of evidence based practice in school librarianship. Methods – The paper is based on a narrative review of a small but growing body of literature on evidence based practice in school librarianship, set within a broader perspective of evidence based education. In addition, it presents the outcomes of a collaborative process of input from 200 school libraries leaders collected at a School Library summit in 2007 specifically to address the emerging arena of evidence based practice in this field. Results – A holistic model of evidence based practice for school libraries is presented, centering on three integrated dimensions of evidence: evidence for practice, evidence in practice, and evidence of practice. Conclusion – The paper identifies key challenges ahead if evidence based school librarianship is to develop further. These include: building research credibility within the broader educational environment; the need for ongoing review and evaluation of the diverse body of research in education, librarianship and allied fields to make quality evidence available in ways that can enable practicing school librarians to build a culture of evidence based practice; development of tools, strategies, and exemplars to use to facilitate evidence based decision-making; and, ensuring that the many and diverse advances in education and librarianship become part of the practice of school librarianship.


2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 46-49
Author(s):  
Lucylynn Lizarondo ◽  
Kate Kennedy ◽  
Debra Kay

Objective: The purpose of this project was to develop a Consumer Engagement Model to plan for effective baby boomer engagement to inform policy makers in the healthcare system. This is the first stage of that process. Design: Initial model development for healthcare systems based on literature review and author group experience in evidence-based practice and research, and consumer advocacy and engagement. Setting and population: South Australian health and community service systems, and healthcare professionals that work with baby boomers. Findings: To develop an evidence-based Consumer Engagement Plan, it is recommended that policy makers undertake the four steps outlined in this document to design a question, determine consumer and community segments and scope of engagement, determine the breadth and depth of engagement and address the implications, assess risk and develop strategic partnerships to ensure the Plan is evidencebased,reasonable and achievable. Conclusions: We believe this process provides a framework for planning consumer engagement and for implementation, monitoring, evaluation and review of consumer engagement for policy excellence. We propose to undertake a validation of the model thus populating the model with examples of practice-based strategies and revising the model accordingly. Abbreviations: EBP – Evidence-Based Practice; IAP2 – International Association of Public Participation; PIO – Patient Intervention and Outcome.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cecilia Black Fylking ◽  
Elin Opheim

Journal clubs are closely interlinked with evidence based practice. At Faculty of Social and Health Sciences at Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences our students are required to write literature reviews for their bachelor degree, and there is an increasing need for guiding the students into academic methodology through critically assessing research articles.  The purposes of starting journal clubs at our faculty is to guide the students into the academic genre, to help them gain confidence in reading research articles, and to broaden the perspective between theory and practice. Better semester grade is a secondary goal to our aim as it probably is hard to operationalize. We wish to establish a cooperation with the faculty staff, especially the ones involved in teaching evidence based practice.  Wilson & Deighton (2016) describes that students find it difficult to approach research articles, and that journal clubs are suitable and an activating manner to introduce the students to the academic genre. Deenadayalan et al. (2008) comments that using case studies as a basis for academic discussion, fills the gap between theory and practical approach to the subject. There are several elements to pay attention to if the journal clubs are to become a success, and Deenadayalan et al. (2008) emphasizes among other things a clear purpose for the students' involvement, as well as leadership, insentives and preparedness. In our project dating, we wish to discuss the possibility to do pilots for nursing students either in the last semesters of their courses, or with master students. We are interested in previous experiences with nursing students, and we want to look into which factors that makes the clubs function and how our aim might be reached.


Author(s):  
Meghan Harper

School librarians have a unique, unprecedented, and unparalleled opportunity to affirm their role in students’ use of basic literacy skills – reading and writing – while highlighting their relatively new role, guiding students through the acquisition of information through multiple modes of communication with new technologies. School librarians can create and facilitate opportunities for students to enhance their learning and become multiliterate. These learning opportunities and a focus on “core” literacies shed a much needed spotlight on the important role and influence of the school librarian on overall academic achievement and the acquisition of multiliteracy skills that have become a necessity in a changing technological and global environment. This article isbased on a presentation given at the International Association of School Librarians Conference in Doha, Qatar (2012), the goals of which were to share an overview of the multiliteracies concept, suggest strategies for facilitating literacy in the school library and classroom, and share professional resources for continued learning and the integration of multiliteracies across the curriculum.


2021 ◽  
pp. 22-41
Author(s):  
Gooneshwaree Beesoon ◽  
Jennifer L. Branch-Mueller

This research examined the state-of-the-art of research in school librarianship. Similar trends from previous research were confirmed: research in school librarianship is published in two major journals -- School Library (Media) Research and School Libraries Worldwide. Almost 80% of the research was carried out in the United States. There is a small core group of researchers working in the area of school librarianship. About half of all research is by a single author. The main themes from the research included collaboration between teachers and school librarian, technology integration, the instructional role of school librarians, professional development, analysis of materials, information literacy instruction, practices and assessment, hiring, professional development and retention of school librarians, use of multimedia resources, role of school librarians in the provision of health information, motivation of students, and research in other parts of the world. Frameworks (Aharony, 2011; Koufogiannakis, Slater & Crumley, 2005; Mardis, 2011) were incomplete and the authors present a new framework for categorizing school library research, in particular, but also LIS research, in general.


2013 ◽  
Vol 30 (94) ◽  
pp. 77-80
Author(s):  
Mike Sharrocks ◽  
Louise Ellis-Barrett ◽  
David Mcmenemy ◽  
Shane Godbolt

WALTON, Graham and BOOTH, Andrew (eds.). Exploiting knowledge in health services BR0PHY,Peter (ed.),The New Review of lnformation and Library Research,Volume 9, 2003 BAKER, Dovid. The strategic management of technorogy: a guide for library and information services Booth, Andrew ond BRICE Anne. (eds.) Evidence-based practice for information professionals.


2008 ◽  
Vol 89 (3) ◽  
pp. 375-384 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan C. Mapp ◽  
Needha Boutté-Queen ◽  
Stephen “Arch” Erich ◽  
Patricia G. Taylor

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