Collaborative library science research network

Level Up Library Research: 3 Strategies for a Stronger Evidence Base

Mira Elwood monogram
Mira Elwood in Mind & Education November 2026 • 3 min read.

"Unlock the potential of evidence-based research in library science with collaborative strategies, data sharing, and project clearinghouses."


For over two decades, the library science field has embraced evidence-based librarianship (EBL) to improve professional decision-making. By incorporating solid research into everyday practice, librarians can make informed choices that lead to better outcomes for their communities. This commitment to EBL requires continuous strengthening of our research base.

Every day, library and information science professionals make critical decisions. Evidence-based librarianship offers a framework for making informed decisions under uncertainty by evaluating various forms of research evidence.

To strengthen our EBL path, this article will explore three key ideas to enhance our research efforts: building research coalitions, improving data storage, and establishing project clearinghouses.

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Evidence-Informed Library Practice

Evidence-based librarianship applies evidence-based practice to library and information science, bringing together research, user data, and professional expertise to guide decisions and improve services. One methodology source contrasts this approach with relying on intuition, habit, or tradition alone. A Kutztown University guide provides links, worksheets, and tools to support the steps of evidence-based practice, while a case-study paper describes using it for a collection review amid significant budget cuts and to build a library assessment program.

The Move Toward Evidence-Based Practice

A historical overview of library and information science describes a notable trend toward evidence-based library and information practice, in which decisions and practices are guided by rigorous research and data analysis. The supplied sources also point to the ongoing research conversation: the Evidence Based Library and Information Practice journal lists a September 2026 editorial about writing the literature review section of a research article. These materials indicate an emphasis on research-informed practice, but the excerpts do not establish a detailed chronology of its milestones.

<ul> <li>Power in Numbers: Building Research Coalitions</li> </ul>

Collaborative library science research network

High-quality research rarely emerges from isolated efforts. Instead of working alone, researchers should actively seek collaboration and avoid provincialism. Forming research coalitions provides a supportive environment where peers can challenge ideas, refine methodologies, and collectively execute studies.

Imagine a coalition of libraries across Kentucky, southern Ohio, and West Virginia, uniting to support each other in research planning and execution. While face-to-face meetings can be valuable, teleconferences and webinars can facilitate ongoing collaboration. One library might bring expertise in statistical analysis, while another offers access to diverse populations. By pooling talents, resources, and mutual trust, these coalitions can produce impactful results.

  • Enhanced Collaboration: Facilitates idea exchange and support among researchers.
  • Resource Sharing: Combines diverse skills and access to varied populations.
  • Improved Research Quality: Multi-institutional projects increase transparency and reliability.
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Collaboration and Open Access

A study titled “Librarians’ Awareness and Utilization of Open Access Electronic Journals in Nigerian University Libraries” reports that evidence-based librarianship can be strengthened by promoting research collaboration, peer review, and open access to research. A separate mapping study of health science librarianship research from 2012–2022 describes a collaborative research landscape focused on demonstrating value and connecting with other kinds of libraries and the public. Together, these findings highlight collaboration as a current theme, while the journal and research-platform listings provide venues for discovering further library science research.

Limitations That Can Undermine Evidence

Evidence-based practice is widely regarded as a gold standard in many fields, but the Cedar Crest research guide emphasizes that it has criticisms and challenges and should be used with its limitations in mind. A separate overview of pitfalls in evidence-based research says that flaws in study design, statistical analysis, ethical practices, human interpretation, or institutional systems can undermine validity. It links such problems to irreproducible results and eroded public trust. The supplied excerpts identify these risks but do not quantify their frequency in library research.

Research Questions and Practice Frameworks

Research and evidence-based practice serve related but distinct roles: one source defines research as systematic investigation to discover or validate knowledge, and evidence-based practice as using available research evidence, professional expertise, and patient preferences to guide healthcare decisions. In health-professions education, instructors and librarians typically use the patient, intervention, comparison, outcome (PICO) framework to formulate clinical questions; a recent study proposed an alternative framework for rehabilitation professions. For a library-research comparison, a separate analysis of health sciences library publications from 1991 to 2007 collected data on article subject, research method, analytical technique, author count, citations, first-author affiliation, and funding source.

Multi-institutional collaborative research projects produce powerful results. Such projects are more likely to be unbiased, transparent, and reliable.

A Call to Action: Strengthening Our Research Ecosystem

The JMLA plays a crucial role in promoting effective communication and high-quality research within medical and health sciences librarianship.

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Evidence as a Tool for Better Decisions

An empirical study of how academic librarians experience evidence-based practice argues that understanding those experiences can help fulfill EBLIP’s aims: continuously improving practice and making effective, value-adding decisions about library services for clients and communities. A separate description of evidence-based library practice outlines steps that include identifying problem areas, reviewing and evaluating relevant evidence, and designing and implementing rigorous research. Taken together, these sources frame evidence use as both a decision-making approach and a practical process.

Tracking Emerging Library Trends

The Center for the Future of Libraries says its collection identifies trends relevant to libraries and librarianship and helps practitioners understand how trends are developing and why they matter. A 2025 account of trends in academic and research libraries presents 12 papers spanning challenges and innovations across regions, with perspectives on library services and organizational life. Another supplied source describes the future of libraries as involving adaptation to changing technologies and societal needs, while anticipating continued roles in knowledge, community, and culture.

Systematic Reviews Beyond Health Sciences

Cornell University Library developed and refined a systematic review service over the five years preceding the 2020 report. The service was created to support growing demand for evidence-based practice beyond the health sciences and across disciplinary areas. This example shows how library services can respond to evidence needs across a wider range of fields.

To 'communicate' means to present research in an understandable and interesting way. 'Promote good research' means to encourage researchers to use the most sound and appropriate scientific models possible.

By fostering discussion and embracing innovative approaches, we can collectively elevate the quality and impact of library science research, leading to remarkable progress in the field.

About this Article -

Written with AI assistance from published research, and reviewed by the Mystum team. See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.3163/1536-5050.103.4.001, Alternate LINK

Title: Three Ideas To Advance Our Research Base

Subject: Library and Information Sciences

Journal: Journal of the Medical Library Association : JMLA

Publisher: University Library System, University of Pittsburgh

Authors: I. Diane Cooper

Published: 2015-10-01

Everything You Need To Know

1

What is evidence-based librarianship, and why is it important?

Evidence-based librarianship (EBL) is the practice of using solid research to inform decisions and improve outcomes in library science. The significance lies in its ability to transform everyday practices by grounding them in empirical evidence. This approach allows librarians to make informed choices, leading to better outcomes for the communities they serve. Its implications include more effective resource allocation, enhanced service quality, and a more responsive approach to community needs.

2

What are research coalitions, and why are they beneficial?

Building research coalitions involves forming collaborative groups of researchers to support each other in research planning and execution. The importance of this strategy lies in its ability to overcome the limitations of isolated research efforts. By combining different skills, resources, and access to diverse populations, coalitions produce impactful, transparent, and reliable results. The implications include improved research quality, enhanced collaboration, and more efficient resource utilization. An example might be multiple libraries forming a coalition to perform statistical analysis together.

3

How is data storage important to research in the field?

Data storage refers to the methods and systems used to preserve and manage research data. In the context of this field, effective data storage is critical for several reasons. It ensures the long-term availability and accessibility of research findings, which enables replication, validation, and further analysis. Proper data storage also promotes data sharing and collaboration. Without accessible data, research progress is hindered. The implications include the ability to conduct future studies based on the collected data. This is critical for reproducibility and reliability.

4

What are project clearinghouses, and what is their purpose?

Project clearinghouses are centralized repositories that collect, organize, and disseminate information about research projects. These clearinghouses are essential for enhancing transparency, avoiding duplication of effort, and facilitating collaboration. By providing a single point of access to project details, methodologies, and findings, they enable researchers to learn from each other's work. The implications include increased efficiency in research, improved knowledge sharing, and the promotion of best practices.

5

What is the role of the *JMLA*?

The journal *JMLA* plays a crucial role in promoting effective communication and high-quality research within medical and health sciences librarianship. By publishing research findings, methodological advancements, and discussions of current issues, *JMLA* supports knowledge dissemination and professional development. This fosters the growth of evidence-based practice. The implications include the advancement of the field through shared knowledge and the elevation of the practice through a commitment to evidence.

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