This is a learning module for a decision-based learning app

1. JUDGING RELEVANCE
BASED ON INFORMATION NEEDS

2. Definition:
• Relevance:
• Refers to how well the item meets an information need
• Concerns aspects of relationship to the matter at hand or practicality a
• A decision on relevance is often not binary, but may instead be one of degree
• For example, an article may be marginally relevant or highly relevant, depending on need
• In judging relevance you must first understand the purpose behind your
information search
a “Relevance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-
webster.com/dictionary/relevance.

3. Types of Reviews: z For more info
on reviews, see
Grant & Booth,
“A typology of
reviews: An
analysis of 14
review types and
associated
methodologies,”
Health
Information and
Libraries Journal,
26 (2009)
• There are many types of reviews, each with its own purpose
Critical
Review
Original
Research
Literature
Review
Systematic
Review
Scoping
Review
State of
the Art
Meta
Analysis

4. Three Common Types of Reviews:
• Systematic Review:
• Takes an exhaustive look at the literature; therefore, more articles will be relevant to
this type of literature review
• End product: a review article giving a comprehensive view of a knowledge domain
• Critical Review:
• Looks at the most influential sources in the domain; therefore, is more selective
• End product: a review article analyzing the knowledge domain
• Research Paper Literature Review:
• Gives a brief but strongly supported view of the domain and how it frames the
research; selects only those items that frame the research
• End product: a research paper describing original research
NOTE: many of the distinctions given in the literature are not important for our purposes here – just
note that article relevance is dependent on the objective of the review

5. v
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