The Evolving Role of Liaison Librarians: Supporting Researchers in the Systematic Review Process

Abstract

From the summer of 2013 to early 2014, four University of Waterloo librarians surveyed Health Sciences faculty and PhD students to gather data on their current and future systematic review work. Data provided insight into expectations of librarian support, and identified multiple ways to meet the needs of the surveyed population. Findings also identified how librarian expertise can be used towards knowledge creation and synthesis, confirming that librarian work will continue to move from an advising, supportive role to being an integral part of the research process and a member of the research team.