Secondary Research in Libraries

Secondary research is a type of research method that involves gathering data from existing sources. Often the purpose users have for engaging with library resources is to conduct secondary research. 

While our users may not be engaging in formal secondary research where they are engaged in a study with a methodology and reviewing existing literature in order to answer research questions, they are still reading existing literature to learn about a topic and possibly make a decision. 

Despite the fact that our patrons are not often not engaging in formal secondary research, I do still think there is value in knowing the different types of secondary research in order to understand the purposes of why your users may be collecting data. Types of secondary research include:

• Systematic review:  “… aim(s) to identify, evaluate, and summarize the findings of all relevant individual studies over a health-related issue, thereby making the available evidence more accessible to decision makers” (Ganeshkumar & Gopalakrishnan, 2013).
• Meta-analysis: “Meta-analysis is a quantitative, formal, epidemiological study design used to systematically assess previous research studies to derive conclusions about that body of research” (Haidich, 2010)
• Scoping review: “is a form of knowledge synthesis that addresses an exploratory research question aimed at mapping key concepts, types of evidence, and gaps in research related to a defined area or field by systematically searching, selecting, and synthesizing existing knowledge” (Colquhoun et al., 2014).
• Narrative review: “synthesizes primary studies and explores this through description rather than statistics” (University of Wollongong Australia, 2022).
• Integrative review: “summarizes past empirical or theoretical literature to provide a more comprehensive understanding of a particular phenomenon or healthcare problem (Broome 1993). Integrative reviews, thus, have the potential to build nursing science, informing research, practice, and policy initiatives. The integrative review method…allows for the inclusion of diverse methodologies (i.e. experimental and non-experimental research)” (Whittemore & Knafl, 2005).”
• Literature review: “is a comprehensive, critical and objective analysis of the current knowledge on a topic.” (Iowa State University Library, 2022).

I believe that viewing the work of our users as secondary research can change the way we interact with patrons. One example is that if a library user is asking to gather data on a health topic to make an informed decision, it is equally important that they understand basic research methods in order to make sense of the research they read. Due to this, I think understanding users’ needs and purposes is vital. This connects closely to what many of us likely learned about in library school—the reference interview. Many of us may not engage in formal reference interviews, but taking time to understand the needs and purposes of the library user can help ensure they receive the necessary information. 

Additionally, having resources that explain information such as guides on …

• Research methods
• Information architecture
• Information landscapes
• How information is disseminated
• The peer review process
• The editorial process
• Fact-checking
• Search algorithms 

can help library users make sense of the information they gather and read. 

In sum, knowing the reasons our users are asking for information and then providing information to help them make sense of the data are crucial aspects of our jobs. Finding ways to strengthen both tasks is important work. 

References

Colquhoun, H. L., Levac, D., O’Brien, K. K., Straus, S., Tricco, A. C., Perrier, L., … & Moher, D. (2014). Scoping reviews: time for clarity in definition, methods, and reporting. Journal of clinical epidemiology, 67(12), 1291-1294.

Gopalakrishnan, S., & Ganeshkumar, P. (2013). Systematic reviews and meta-analysis: understanding the best evidence in primary healthcare. Journal of family medicine and primary care, 2(1), 9.

Haidich, A. B. (2010). Meta-analysis in medical research. Hippokratia, 14(Suppl 1), 29.

Iowa State University Library. (2022). How to conduct a literature review: A guide for graduate students. Iowa State University. https://instr.iastate.libguides.com/c.php?g=885773&p=6372981

University of Wollongong Australia. (2022). Five over types of systematic reviews. https://uow.libguides.com/systematic-review/types-of-systematic-reviews

Whittemore, R., & Knafl, K. (2005). The integrative review: updated methodology. Journal of advanced nursing, 52(5), 546-553.