Working Together: How Academic Librarians Can Help Researchers Prepare for a Grey Literature Search for Systematic Reviews Involving Minoritized Populations

Abstract

As evidence synthesis methodologies, particularly systematic reviews (SRs), continue to gain popularity across social science research disciplines, faculty requests for librarian assistance with literature searchers are also increasing. A critical component of a well-developed systematic review is a robust grey literature search. Grey literature provides access to research outside of traditional publishing streams, such as conference proceedings, government reports, or project reports, and thus is especially important when research involves specific populations who are historically underrepresented in empirical research, such as minoritized populations. While SRs follow well established guidelines for searching and reporting results from published literature, the same level of transparency for grey literature is frequently absent. Based on experiences from a recent SR involving a minoritized population, this article presents recommendations to facilitate discussions between librarians and researchers about preparing for the inclusion of grey literature if the SR is conducted on a minoritized population.

Statement of significance

This article provides academic librarians with an overview of the benefits and challenges of conducting a grey literature search as well as a framework to use in collaboration with faculty researchers to guide discussions about including a grey literature search in their SR. The conversation framework, informed by lessons learned, may serve as a guide for other librarians to use when assisting faculty and research groups with preparations regarding the inclusion of grey literature.

Introduction

Published systematic reviews (SRs) have expanded across many disciplines, providing an invaluable resource to researchers, practitioners, and policymakers. Due to the complexities inherent in SR research, research teams are increasingly likely to seek assistance from librarians with compiling and completing a SR. As academic librarians have professional experience navigating the databases and search engines necessary for a thorough SR, they can provide the requisite assistance to support or collaborate with a SR team. This is the case in many fields, including education, economics, and disciplines in the social sciences. Increasingly, academic librarians are assisting social science faculty and research groups with SRs. Indeed, recommendations to involve a librarian in SRs have been made by many (Campbell et al., 2018; Ghezzi-Kopel et al., 2022; Wade et al., 2006). Where several studies across multiple disciplines show that librarian involvement in SRs improves transparency and the quality of the resulting synthesis (Koffel, 2015; Rethlefsen et al., 2015; Schellinger et al., 2021).

Yet, while SRs are not new to the social sciences, there has been little emphasis on training new librarians to support SRs in library science programs. A website scan conducted in June 2022 of programs and course syllabi across fifty American Library Association accredited Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) programs specially offering an academic librarian track demonstrated little evidence that SR training is included in program outcomes. The few exceptions included elective courses, such as health science librarianship. Although SR training was not apparent in MLIS programs, there are several workshops, LibGuides, and courses available for librarians in disciplines outside of medical librarianship. Most notable is the Evidence Synthesis Institute for Librarians, funded by the Institute for Library and Museum Services (IMLS). The Evidence Synthesis Institute for Librarians aims to recruit and train up to 120 library staff who support evidence syntheses in topics outside of the health sciences, and is coordinated by librarians from University of Minnesota, Cornell University, and Carnegie Mellon University (The University of Minnesota-Twin Cities et al., 2020). In addition, many academic libraries have established SR services. However, these services vary based upon librarians' skills, available resources, and administrative support (Kallaher et al., 2020; Kogut et al., 2020; Riegelman & Kocher, 2018). If academic librarians are not being trained on how to conduct SRs, then it is likely that they are not being trained on how to conduct appropriate grey literature searches in support of SRs. Therefore, the significance of including grey literature for SRs that involve minoritized populations may not be part of initial discussions.