Integrating evidence synthesis services in Zimbabwean state university libraries

Abstract

This article explores how Zimbabwean state university libraries incorporate evidence synthesis services in their traditional research support services as the evidence synthesis methodology begins to gain popularity among researchers beyond the health sciences. The literature indicates that academic libraries around the world are responding to the need for evidence synthesis services. However, there is a lack of evidence concerning how libraries in Zimbabwean state university libraries have adapted to this trend. Exploratory research that involved sub-librarians and faculty librarians as participants was conducted. Purposive and self-selection sampling techniques were utilised in addition to the use of questionnaires and interviews for data gathering. The results reveal that some libraries have started offering evidence synthesis services, particularly in the disciplines of agriculture and applied sciences. The results also show that systematic and scoping reviews are evidence synthesis types commonly conducted by researchers. While the study shows that some librarians demonstrated a good understanding of evidence synthesis, most lacked practical experience and relied on self-teaching and peer-to-peer learning for skill acquisition.