Librarians at the Earth Sciences Library may be available for consultations focused on comprehensive searching for knowledge synthesis (KS) projects like systematic reviews and scoping reviews. These sessions are educational in nature, designed to help you build essential skills in comprehensive searching – an important component of conducting a successful knowledge synthesis.

To request a consultation, please email us. We aim to respond to all inquiries within 5 business days.

Please note: While many funding bodies and organizations recommend or require a librarian to be part of the research team for systematic reviews, librarians at the Earth Sciences Library are not currently able to join research teams.

The following section outlines our policy on knowledge synthesis support.

Consultations may include topics such as:

Pointing you to resources on how to conduct a KS (e.g., a good starting point is Gerstein’s Knowledge Synthesis guide)
Identifying relevant databases for searches
Assistance in identifying key concepts
Guidance on how to combine relevant search terms and configure search questions
Instruction on how to do comprehensive searches in databases (e.g., creating accounts to save your searches and set alerts, using controlled vocabularies and filters, using help menus, formulating searches with syntax, forward and backward searching, exporting references).
Showing you where you can find keyword suggestions in databases
Tips for troubleshooting your searches
Explaining interlibrary loan and how to access full text articles
Overview of reference citation management software

What's not included

At this time, we will unfortunately not be able to provide the following services during consultations:

Determine whether a synthesis or protocol on a topic already exists
Choose a review methodology for your topic (we can point you to resources that explain the various types of KS, but for methodological guidance you will need to consult your advisor, instructor or Principal Investigator (PI) of the KS)
Provide step-by-step guidance on how to conduct knowledge syntheses
Provide guidance on statistical analysis for meta-analyses
Advice on writing, reviewing or participating in the preparation or development of a protocol (please consult your advisor, instructor, or PI)
Assistance in writing search methods according to PRISMA or other guidelines
Develop or document methodologies or provide advice on methodology standards
Develop and structure searches, develop an exhaustive list of keywords for a key concept, translate a search for other databases, execute searches or export results
We cannot review search strings in detail or advise whether a search is publication ready
Develop and conduct searches in grey literature
Assist in writing or reviewing of manuscripts, including methodology sections and respective appendices
Advice on tools for appraisal, screening, project management or data management (please consult your advisor, instructor or PI)
Advice on estimating timelines or budgets (please consult your advisor, instructor or PI)
Interpret assignment instructions for students or review their assignment outputs (outside of search strategies)
Training or troubleshooting of citation management software
Other services at the discretion of librarian based on their expertise and available time

Knowledge syntheses in earth sciences

How to access

More information

Associated libraries: