Literature Search Peer Review Buddy Scheme
The Health Sciences Libraries Group launched a new continuing professional development opportunity for library staff and information specialists based in Ireland during 2023. We set up a literature search peer review buddy scheme as a means of informal peer learning on literature searching. It is a way to help librarians conducting literature searches to form connections, encourage networking, and also to enable expertise sharing between individuals to improve the quality of their searches.
Two times per annum, we put a call out to interested people to register and be grouped with other librarians to review and discuss search strategies. The search is not a ‘live’ search and there is no time or other pressure, rather it’s an opportunity to have a peer look at your search and comment or recommend, and to do the same for someone else.
These are some resources which will guide people:
Sample PubMed search strategy given in Table 1 of this article: Kędra, A., Plandowska, M., Kędra, P. et al. Physical activity and low back pain in children and adolescents: a systematic review. Eur Spine J 30, 946–956 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-020-06575-5
Expert Searching Guide, Welch Medical Library, Johns Hopkins University
“Developing an effective systematic search strategy”, 14 November 2022, Campbell UK & Ireland Webinar Recording of Patrick Labelle, Research Librarian, University of Ottawa; Information Specialist Campbell Education Co-ordinating Group (ECG)