Responsible Literature Searching for Research: A Self-Paced

Interactive Educational Program

Health Sciences Library System

University of Pittsburgh

Charles B. Wessel, Coordinator of Affiliated Hospital Services

Barbara A. Epstein, Director

Nancy H. Tannery, Associate Director of Information Services

The Health Sciences Library System (HSLS), University of Pittsburgh,

developed a “model” self-paced education program that teaches the fundamentals of responsible

literature searching for research practice

• With sponsorship from the Association of Academic Health Sciences Libraries

(AAHSL)

• Funded through a cooperative agreement between the

Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) and the

Office of Research Integrity (ORI), United States Department of Health and Human Services

This Web-based educational program provides a conceptual framework,

instruction, and guidelines on:

• Principles and recommended practices for the

biomedical literature search process

• Identification and classification of major information resources

• The limitations of various information resources

• Determination of what is an adequate literature search for topics such as drug safety and

identification of adverse events

• The role of reference librarians in the

literature search process

An Advisory Committee of experienced AAHSL and HSLS reference librarians evaluated the content and recommended changes and enhancements during the development

of this program

Responsible Literature Searching for Research

• Is 1 of 14 training modules

• On the University of Pittsburgh’s Web-based

Education and Certification Program in Research and Practice Fundamentals (RPF)

• And contains– 9 Chapters– 5 Quizzes

– 13 Guidelines– 86 References

– 5 Images– 16 Tables

– 6 Appendices

The 14 Modules

Click on folder to open module

Open Chapter 1

Easy navigation

Quizzes test knowledge gained

Keeps track of quizzes completed

Tables contain supportive information

Guidelines are placed strategically to reinforcelearning

• The module’s content is based on principles

applicable in most research-oriented settings

• HSLS is making the content available to other

academic health sciences libraries and medical centers

for adaptation to their local settings and resources