Evaluating information skills training in health libraries: a systematic review.
BACKGROUND
Systematic reviews have shown that there is limited evidence to demonstrate that the information literacy training health librarians provide is effective in improving clinicians' information skills or has an impact on patient care. Studies lack measures which demonstrate validity and reliability in evaluating the impact of training.


OBJECTIVE
To determine what measures have been used; the extent to which they are valid and reliable; to provide guidance for health librarians who wish to evaluate the impact of their information skills training.


METHODS



METHODS
Systematic review methodology involved searching seven databases, and personal files.


METHODS
Studies were included if they were about information skills training, used an objective measure to assess outcomes, and occurred in a health setting.


RESULTS
Fifty-four studies were included in the review. Most outcome measures used in the studies were not tested for the key criteria of validity and reliability. Three tested for validity and reliability are described in more detail.


CONCLUSIONS
Selecting an appropriate measure to evaluate the impact of training is a key factor in carrying out any evaluation. This systematic review provides guidance to health librarians by highlighting measures used in various circumstances, and those that demonstrate validity and reliability.
Brettle
Alison
A
Salford Center for Nursing, Midwifery and Collaborative Research, Institute of Health and Social Care, University of Salford, Salford, UK. a.brettle@salford.ac.uk
D006801:Humans; D016245:Librarians; D007993:Libraries, Medical; D007998:Library Science / Q000193:education; D011361:Professional Competence; D015397:Program Evaluation; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013663:Teaching; D006113:United Kingdom