This document outlines the presentation "Research by Design" given by Lorie Kloda on developing a research plan. The presentation covers key elements of a research plan such as objectives, literature review, methods, resources and costs. It provides examples of research topics on mobile device use in medicine and the role of librarians in medical education. The document encourages attendees to identify their own research objective and consider topics, sources and methods for their literature review and research plan.

1. RESEARCH BY DESIGN
Lorie Kloda, MLIS, PhD, AHIP
Assessment Librarian
McGill University
Canadian Health Library Association
Montreal, June 17, 2014

2. Introductions
• Name
• Position title
• Institution/hospital
• City
• Experience with research

3. Today’s outline
8:15 Research plan objectives
8:30 Overview of research plan elements
9:00 The research topic, problem, and objective
9:45 The literature review
10:15 BREAK!
10:30 Methods
11:00 Resources and costs
11:30 Wrap up and further resources
11:45 Evaluation

4. BURNING QUESTION
Warm-up Activity

5. Why do I need a plan/proposal?
Some (good) reasons:
• Organize your research project
• Convince prospective supporters of its value
• Obtain funding
• Find supervisor or collaborators (colleagues)
• Ethics approval
• Requires you to focus your thoughts and decide what to
do

6. Plan or proposal?
Plan Guide
Proposal Persuade

7. What should I include in my plan?
• Title
• Abstract/summary
• Background, context, rationale
• Purpose of the study
• Literature review
• Research design and methods
• Ethical issues
• Work plan/Timetable
• Anticipated results
• Dissemination, deliverables
• Resources and costs
• References

8. Exemplar 1: Mobile devices in medicine
Boruff, J. T., & Storie, D. (2014). Mobile devices in
medicine: A survey of how medical students, residents, and
faculty use smartphones and other mobile devices to find
information. Journal of the Medical Library Association,
102(1), 22-30. doi: 10.3163/1536-5050.102.1.006
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3878932/

9. Exemplar 2: Librarians in EBM small groups
Koufogiannakis, D., Buckingham, J., Alibhai, A., & Rayner,
D. (2005). Impact of librarians in first-year medical and
dental student problem-based learning (PBL) groups: A
controlled study. Health Information & Libraries Journal,
22(3), 189-195. doi: 10.1111/j.1471-1842.2005.00559.x

10. Topic, problem, & objective

11. Exemplar 1: Mobile devices in medicine
Topic(s): mobile devices, information seeking,
clinical question answering
Problem: What should librarians provide in terms of
support?
Objective: To determine the extent students, residents,
and faculty use mobile devices for finding
information to support their studies/work.

12. Exemplar 2: Librarians in EBM small groups
Topic: Teaching EBM
Problem: Does the librarian play a role? If so, what is
the most effective way to make a contribution
to medical/dental students’ learning?
Objective: To determine if librarians presence in
problem-based learning “small groups”
resulted in better learning of EBM concepts
by students.

13. IDENTIFY YOUR
RESEARCH OBJECTIVE
Activity 1

14. Literature review

15. Exemplar 1: Mobile devices in medicine
Areas: Mobile device usage (handhelds, tablets,
PDAs)
Information seeking of health professionals
(in general, not just doctors)
Sources: health & librarianship databases and journals
health librarianship conferences
health informatics

16. Exemplar 2: Librarians in EBM small groups
Areas: Problem-based learning and librarians’ role
Assessment of EBM learning by students
Librarian role in EBM, teaching students in
the health professions
Sources: health, librarianship, and education
databases and journals
health librarianship and medical education
conferences

17. LITERATURE REVIEW:
TOPICS & SOURCES
Activity 2

18. Methods
• Approach
• Population of interest
• Sampling method
• Recruitment method (specify location, setting)
• Specific methods, tools and instruments for data
collection and analysis
• Research data management

19. Exemplar 1: Mobile devices in medicine
Approach: Quantitative, observational using survey
Population: Canadian students, residents, faculty
Sampling: 4 universities (McGill, Alberta, Ottawa,
Calgary)
Recruitment: Email lists
Methods: Survey questionnaire, SPSS for descriptive
stats + read comments

20. Exemplar 2: Librarians in EBM small groups
Approach: Quantitative, controlled study with
intervention
Population: Medical students
Sampling: U of Alberta students in 6-week EBM course,
random assignment of librarian/control
Recruitment: N/A (students could opt-out)
Methods: Instruments: Pre- and post- tests (likert
scales), final exam
Descriptive and inferential statistics

21. CHOOSE A METHOD
Activity 3

22. Resources & costs
• Support for your research
• Research costs
• Research tools

23. IDENTIFY RESOURCES
Activity 4

24. Wrap-Up

25. NEXT STEPS
Wrap-Up Activity