Knowledge synthesis brings together findings from multiple studies to answer a research question using clear and reproducible methods.

Examples include systematic reviews, scoping reviews, and rapid reviews.

U of T Scarborough librarians support knowledge synthesis projects across disciplines.

We focus on information retrieval, including search strategies, database selection, and documentation.

How librarians can help

Librarians can support your project by:

Working with a librarian can improve the quality and reproducibility of your review.

Types of support

We offer two types of support: consultation and collaboration.

A consultation is a one-on-one appointment with a librarian.

You can get help with search strategies, databases, and research tools.

In a collaboration, a librarian joins your research team as a co-author.

The librarian leads the design and execution of the search strategy and contributes to the project.

Collaboration is available for faculty-led projects intended for publication.

Not eligible:

Initial consultation

A librarian will meet with your team to review your project and discuss:

Information retrieval

If accepted, the librarian will:

This work is iterative and may take several weeks.

Manuscript support

The librarian will contribute to the methods section and respond to reviewer feedback related to search strategies.

Expectations

If you collaborate with a librarian, you are expected to:

Timeline

Knowledge synthesis projects can take several months to complete. Timelines vary depending on the scope of the project.