Evidence-based library and information practice (EBLIP) or evidence-based librarianship (EBL) is the use of

evidence-based practices Evidence-based practice is the idea that occupational practices ought to be based on scientific evidence. The movement towards evidence-based practices attempts to encourage and, in some instances, require professionals and other decision-makers ...

(EBP) in the field of

library and information science Library and information science (LIS)Library and Information Sciences is the name used in the Dewey Decimal Classification for class 20 from the 18th edition (1971) to the 22nd edition (2003). are two interconnected disciplines that deal with inf ...

(LIS). This means that all practical decisions made within LIS should 1) be based on research studies and 2) that these research studies are selected and interpreted according to some specific norms characteristic for EBP. Typically such norms disregard theoretical studies and qualitative studies and consider quantitative studies according to a narrow set of criteria of what counts as evidence. If such a narrow set of methodological criteria are not applied, it is better instead to speak of ''research based library and information practice.''

Characteristics

Evidence-based practice in general has been characterised as a positivist approach; EBLIP is therefore also a positivist approach to LIS. As such, EBLIP is an approach in contrast to other approaches to LIS. The use of statistical approaches known as

meta-analysis Meta-analysis is a method of synthesis of quantitative data from multiple independent studies addressing a common research question. An important part of this method involves computing a combined effect size across all of the studies. As such, th ...

to conclude what evidence has been reported in the literature is one among other methods which is typical for the evidence-based approach. In 2002, Booth noted the three schools of EBILP had some commonalities, including the context of day-to-day decision-making, an emphasis on improving the quality of professional practice, a pragmatic focus on the 'best available evidence', incorporation of the user perspective, the acceptance of a broad range of quantitative and qualitative

research design Research design refers to the overall strategy utilized to answer research questions. A research design typically outlines the theories and models underlying a project; the research question(s) of a project; a strategy for gathering data and info ...

s, and access, either first-hand or second-hand, to the (process of) evidence-based practice and its products. He added one more, that EBILP is concerned with getting the best value for money.

The role of library and information science in EBP

Evidence-based practice in general is based on a very thorough search of the scientific literature and a very thorough selection and analysis of the retrieved literature. A close familiarity with database searching is needed, and library and information professionals have important roles to play in this respect. Therefore LIS professionals should be well suited to help professionals in other disciplines doing EBP. EBLIP is the application of this approach on LIS itself. It should be mentioned, however, that EBP started in medicine as

evidence-based medicine Evidence-based medicine (EBM) is "the conscientious, explicit and judicious use of current best evidence in making decisions about the care of individual patients. It means integrating individual clinical expertise with the best available exte ...

(EBM) from which it spread to other fields. Only slowly and to a limited extent has EBP moved on to LIS. The EBLIP process can be applied to a variety of scenarios in LIS, including customer service,

collection development Collection or Collections may refer to: Computing * Collection (abstract data type), the abstract concept of collections in computer science * Collection (linking), the act of linkage editing in computing * Garbage collection (computing), autom ...

library management Library management is a sub-discipline of management, institutional management that focuses on specific issues faced by libraries and library management professionals. Library management encompasses normal managerial tasks, as well as intellectu ...

and

information literacy The Association of College and Research Libraries defines information literacy as a "set of integrated abilities encompassing the reflective discovery of information, the understanding of how information is produced and valued and the use of infor ...

instruction. In general, quantitative methods are used in LIS research. A 2010 study revealed that professionals experienced evidence-based practice as, variously, irrelevant; learning from published research; service improvement; a way of being; and as a weapon.

References

'', 87(4), pp. 471–476. * Dalrymple, Prudence W. (2010) Evidence-Based Practice, ''Encyclopedia of Library and Information Sciences'', Third Edition, Vol. III, 1790-1796. * Eldredge J.D. (2000). Evidence-based librarianship: an overview. ''Bulletin of the Medical Library Association'', 88(4), pp. 289–302. * Eldredge J. (2002). Cohort studies in health sciences librarianship. '' Journal of the Medical Library Association'', 90(4), pp. 380–392. * Kloda, LA; Koufogiannakis, D. & Mallan, K. (2011). Transferring evidence into practice: what evidence summaries of library and information studies research tell practitioners. ''

Information Research ''Information Research: An International Electronic Journal'' is a quarterly peer-reviewed open-access academic journal covering the fields of information science, information management, and information systems. It was established in 1995 as an e ...

'', 2011, V 16, N1 (MAR), Article Number: 465. * * Lewis, S. (2011). Evidence based library and information practice in Australia: defining skills and knowledge. '' Health Information and Libraries Journal'', 2011, V 28, N2 (JUN), pp. 152–155. * Urquhart, C. (2010)
Systematic reviewing, meta-analysis and meta-synthesis for evidence-based library and information science
''Information Research'', 15(3,S), Article Number: colis708. {{Evidence-based practice Library science Information science Library and information practice

Characteristics

The role of library and information science in EBP

See also

References

Further reading