Growth of Knowledge Synthesis in a University Setting: Types, Disciplines, and Librarian Involvement

Abstract

Librarian co-authorship of knowledge synthesis (KS) research is on the rise, demonstrating growing recognition of the value librarians bring to research teams. This study analyzes trends in KS research output at a mid-sized doctoral granting university between 2017 and 2022, with a focus on librarian involvement. Using PubMed, Scopus, and the Social Sciences Citation Index & Arts and Humanities Citation Index, all KS research published by researchers at our institution between 2017 and 2022 was retrieved. A content analysis was conducted, and findings reveal a 280 % increase in librarian co-authorship during this period, coinciding with a 54 % overall growth in KS publications. Health sciences continue to dominate as the primary creators of KS research, with <10 % of published KS published in the sciences, humanities, and social sciences. Notably, systematic reviews with librarian co-authors were published in journals with higher Journal Impact Factors (JIFs) than those without. This research underscores the vital role librarians play in advancing KS research, the importance of advocating for librarian co-authorship, and highlights the need for increased librarian engagement in non-health disciplines.