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Using Scientific Evidence to Improve Information Practice

Action Plan for the Medical Library Association

To improve the research environment for its members, MLA will undertake new or expanded initiatives in the following key areas, relying on the use of electronic communications where feasible and appropriate.

To top of page Education

Health sciences librarians need a continuum of research-related training throughout their careers, beginning with a firm foundation in their master's-degree program. To ensure that suitable training opportunities exist, MLA will

  1. work with academic programs in library and information studies to ensure that opportunities to develop quantitative and qualitative research knowledge and skills appear throughout the curriculum for both master's and Ph.D. programs, and seek funding for pilot implementations of programs with an increased research focus;
  2. review, revise, and expand MLA's continuing education (CE) program to provide a complete range of basic and advanced courses in quantitative and qualitative research methodology and in the critical analysis of research, and incorporate the assessment of related research into every MLA CE course;
  3. identify the kinds of training fellowships or grants that are likely to attract beginning and midcareer librarians, including internships at "centers of excellence" in health information science research and encourage funders and employers to support these arrangements; and
  4. increase the amount of funding available in MLA's Doctoral Fellowships.

To top of page Research Support

Organizations in which health sciences librarians study, teach, and work should foster a culture that facilitates research. To promote this culture, MLA will

  1. define model health sciences librarian positions that combine research with practice or with teaching and develop a strategy to establish and obtain funding for a small number of such positions in academic departments and in health sciences institutions;
  2. develop guidelines for research support services that health sciences institutions should provide to their librarian employees;
  3. organize a research methodology consulting service for MLA members;
  4. establish a brokering service that matches practicing librarians who have research questions and suitable research populations with academic librarians and information scientists who have research expertise and time to conduct research;
  5. expand and publicize the research mentoring programs established by the MLA Research Section;
  6. involve MLA sections and other units in the critical appraisal of research results relevant to their interests, in the identification of important researchable topics, and in the design of collaborative research projects that provide research experience to a range of MLA members.

To top of page Funding

Money can buy the time needed for health sciences librarians to conduct high-impact research. To promote adequate funding for its members' research, MLA will

  1. identify the kinds of funding mechanisms, such as "centers of excellence" in health information science or substantial awards targeted toward collaborative research, that are likely to be attractive to health sciences librarians and their collaborators and encourage the development of funding programs to support these arrangements;
  2. develop an MLA program of small research planning grants that will enable members to do the background work necessary to develop solid research proposals; and
  3. publicize research funding mechanisms applicable to health sciences librarians.

To top of page Dissemination

Research results must be broadly disseminated through formal and informal channels if they are to have a positive effect on practice. To facilitate the transmission of scientific evidence gained from research, MLA will

  1. structure MLA publications, including the Bulletin, to give greater prominence to new research findings, critical analysis of research, and the implications of research for practice;
  2. feature reports of research results at all MLA meetings;
  3. use MLANET or other mechanisms to highlight research in progress and recent research findings with important ramifications for health sciences librarians; and
  4. develop a program of joint meetings and publications with other professional associations whose members are natural research collaborators for health sciences librarians.

To top of page Recognition

Recognition encourages the researcher to sustain the research endeavor. To encourage the research achievements of its members, MLA will

  1. publicize the research accomplishments of health sciences librarians to employers and to other health professions;
  2. review and, if necessary, restructure MLA's credentialing program to provide enhanced recognition for the production and use of research; and
  3. ensure that production and use of research is given increased recognition in MLA's awards program by establishing a new award for best research project of the year and by other appropriate means.

To top of page Measurement

Better information is needed about the research activity of health sciences librarians and about the infrastructure that supports this activity, including educational and funding opportunities. To monitor the effect of the implementation of its research action plan, MLA will

  1. identify appropriate indicators of the levels of research activity and support for research; and
  2. collect baseline data on these indicators, and monitor any changes over time to assess the impact of actions designed to encourage increased research activity by MLA members.

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