Document Type

Article

Publication Date

6-2025

Journal / Book Title

Reference & User Services Quarterly

Abstract

As more faculty and graduate students conduct systematic reviews and other evidence/knowledge syntheses, it can be helpful for academic libraries to provide services and resources to support this type of research. This study identifies trends in evidence/knowledge synthesis support services among (thirty-six) selected institutions with Carnegie classifications of R1 or R2. Data about services and resources was collected from research guides, webpages, and via communications with library employees. There are many similarities between how R1 and R2 institutions are providing support, with a higher incidence of more comprehensive services among R1 universities. Most R1 institutions in our sample provide a systematic review service consisting of both consultation and co-authorship levels of support, supplemented by synchronous workshops and asynchronous materials (e.g., research guides). Systematic review services among R2 institutions are less prevalent, although those with medical or health sciences libraries were more likely to provide similar support as R1 institutions. Interestingly, the number of librarians supporting systematic reviews research is generally comparable across the two types of institutions, except at the upper end of the range, which is dominated by R1 institutions. Observed trends are expected to be useful for informing strategic planning, librarian training, and systematic review service development for libraries across R1 and R2 Carnegie classifications

DOI

10.5860/rusq.60.4.8465

Rights

Reference & User Services Quarterly is an Open Access publication of the American Library Association.

Published Citation

Borozan, A. C., Fong, B. L., & McCarthy, S. K. (2025). How Academic Libraries Support Systematic Reviews and Evidence Syntheses. RUSQ: A Journal of Reference and User Experience, 60(4), 178. https://doi.org/10.5860/rusq.60.4.8465

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