This document discusses supporting research commissioning in optometry. It outlines how librarians can check references, run literature searches, and establish themselves as research hubs through managing time and building rapport with researchers. The document also describes a small grants scheme process where applicants consult librarians and a need to formalize mandatory literature consulting. Overall it emphasizes the importance of proactive involvement in the research process and not making assumptions about researchers' needs or the librarian's role.

1. Supporting Research Commissioning
Carrie Sherlock
College of Optometrists
Anne Welsh & Jenny Wood
Eyes & Vision Specialist Library

2. Photo: ‘Keeping an Eye on Time’ by badboy69, http://www.flickr.com/photos/badboy69/2333409688/
Informal research
 Checking references in research proposals
 For accuracy
 For relevance
 For comprehensiveness
 Running literature searches
 “Fishing expeditions”

3. Photo: ‘Keeping an Eye on Time’ by badboy69, http://www.flickr.com/photos/badboy69/2333409688/
Research hubs
 Establishing a role for the library
 From the ground up
 Relating to internal and external colleagues
 Managing reputation
 Managing time
 Commitment not over commitment
 Rapport with researchers

4. Photo: ‘Keeping an Eye on Time’ by badboy69, http://www.flickr.com/photos/badboy69/2333409688/
College Small Grants Scheme
 http://www.college-
optometrists.org/index.aspx/pcms/site.education.Researchers.Applied_rese
arch.Small_grants.Small_grants_home/

5. Photo: ‘Keeping an Eye on Time’ by badboy69, http://www.flickr.com/photos/badboy69/2333409688/
Application process
Applicant approaches College
Advised to consult librarian
Submits application
Proposal accepted Proposal rejected
Consults

6. Photo: ‘Keeping an Eye on Time’ by badboy69, http://www.flickr.com/photos/badboy69/2333409688/
Getting involved in the process
1. Awareness of project
2. What else can I do, how else can I get
involved?
3. Mini needs assessment of the user
group
4. Identify principal investigators
5. Iterative and reiterative process
6. Constant review

7. Photo: ‘Keeping an Eye on Time’ by badboy69, http://www.flickr.com/photos/badboy69/2333409688/
Formalising the process
 Review of the iPRO programme (2 year)
 Mandatory to consult librarian over literature
searching?
 Training sessions
 Currently run by a practising optometrist
 Understanding evidence based literature,
statistics etc
 Move to co-presenting
 Expanding topics

8. Photo: ‘Keeping an Eye on Time’ by badboy69, http://www.flickr.com/photos/badboy69/2333409688/
Gaps in the knowledge
 Database of Uncertainties about the
Effects of Treatments
http://www.library.nhs.uk/Eyes/ViewResource
.aspx?resID=297003&tabID=290
 Systematic review project -
identifying & assessing
systematic reviews since 1997
http://www.library.nhs.uk/eyes/page.aspx?

9. Photo: ‘Keeping an Eye on Time’ by badboy69, http://www.flickr.com/photos/badboy69/2333409688/
Research synergy
Higher Education
NHS
3rd
Sector

10. Photo: ‘Keeping an Eye on Time’ by badboy69, http://www.flickr.com/photos/badboy69/2333409688/
Assumptions
 Don’t assume researchers know their needs
 Don’t assume they know you exist
 Don’t assume they know what a librarian
does
 Don’t assume that you or they know the gaps
in the knowledge
 Don’t assume that you know the results of a
research project in advance
 Don’t assume that your skills are not relevant

11. Photo: ‘Keeping an Eye on Time’ by badboy69, http://www.flickr.com/photos/badboy69/2333409688/
Take homes
 Make sure that you have the resources to
cope with the project
 Don’t let your enthusiasm carry you away
 Remember that your reputation is at stake
 Networking and communications skills –
building rapport
 Proactive not reactive
 Attitudinal shift

12. Photo: ‘Keeping an Eye on Time’ by badboy69, http://www.flickr.com/photos/badboy69/2333409688/
Contact details
 Carrie Sherlock ~ library@college-optometrists.org
 Anne Welsh / Jenny Wood ~ evsl@moorfields.nhs.uk