Conducting knowledge syntheses: U of T specialist shares top tips

Ana Patricia Ayala, Research Services Librarian at University of Toronto Libraries, presented “An overview of knowledge syntheses methods” on November 19, 2021 for the UT-ITE seminar series.

A specialist in knowledge syntheses, Ayala defines the term broadly as the “contextualization and integration of research findings of individual research studies within the larger body of knowledge on the topic,” per the Canadian Institutes of Health Research definition.

She discussed the six steps common to most knowledge syntheses review types (Protocol; Eligibility criteria; Comprehensive searches; Independent reviewer pairs for first and second level of screening; Data abstraction; and Synthesis). She went on to speak in more detail about the many different types of knowledge syntheses and their varying aspects and methods.

In her seminar, Ayala shared her “Top 6 Tips” for those conducting knowledge syntheses:

  1. Knowledge syntheses are a team sport: Make sure your team includes this skillset:
    1. Experience in the methodology for the review type you’ll be conducting
    2. Subject matter expertise
    3. In-depth knowledge on information retrieval and comprehensive searching
    4. Experience with critical appraisal (if applicable)
    5. Statistics (if applicable)
    6. A project manager
    7. Clear and open communication from start to finish.
  2. Take the time to develop your protocol! If you fail to have a clearly defined protocol your review will be compromised. Use PRISMA-P to report it.
  3. Adhere to the appropriate reporting guideline for the review you’re conducting. The EQUATOR Network is a comprehensive library of a plethora of reporting guidelines and tools.
  4. Discuss authorship, roles, and responsibilities from the outset. Use the Credit Casrai Contributor Roles Taxonomy .
  5. Be transparent and report everything that you did, from discrepancies between your protocol and your manuscript, and the limitations of your study.
  6. Conduct the study you’re able to conduct and complete in a rigorous, and transparent way. Narrative reviews, and other non-method driven reviews have value too. Let’s not add to wasteful research out there!

She also shared resources, shown below, for those planning to undertake a knowledge synthesis review.

As a U of T Research Services Librarian, Ayala’s expertise and guidance are in great demand; her availability is limited to the internal U of T community of students, staff, faculty and researchers.

Watch the presentation video recording

Resources


Abstract

Learn about the different types of knowledge syntheses: systematic reviews, scoping reviews, rapid reviews, and more. The similarities and differences between these study types, the different steps in the process, and key aspects critical for ensuring their successful completion.

About the speaker

head shot of Patricia Ayala
Patricia Ayala

Patricia Ayala is Research Services Librarian at University of Toronto Libraries.

She has worked on the development of the Systematic and Scoping Review Collaboration (SSRC) at Gerstein Science Information Centre, focused on partnering with faculty and researchers engaged in systematic reviews, scoping reviews and other types of knowledge syntheses. Patricia’s portfolio includes building and deepening relationships with faculty, staff, students, and other researchers, on campus, within research institutes, teaching hospitals, and national and international organizations. She was part of the team that developed PRISMA-Search a guideline on how to report literature searches, and most recently the Guidelines for Reporting Trial Protocols and Completed Trials Modified Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic and Other Extenuating Circumstances: The CONSERVE 2021 Statement.

She has degrees in Biology and Fine Arts from the University of North Carolina, and Master in Information and Library Studies from the University of Toronto.


Presented by University of Toronto ITE Student Chapter, UT-ITE.