Deliberate exploratory search in technology innovation: Discovering and developing need-solution pairs

The objective of this scoping review will be to chart the available evidence on user experience and adoption of automation and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies for evidence synthesis. Evidence syntheses are crucial for informing health care practice and policy; however, they are constrained by the ever-increasing volume of research and labor-intensive methods. With reviews often taking over a year to complete, automation and AI offer promising solutions by streamlining evidence synthesis workflows. However, while these technologies may offer significant time savings, their adoption depends on usability, trustworthiness, and workflow integration-elements which are currently poorly understood. This review will include primary research articles, all types of reviews, expert opinions, and gray literature that discuss user experience and/or adoption of automation and AI technologies for evidence synthesis across all disciplines. Following JBI scoping review methodology, the search strategy will identify published and unpublished evidence sources using a 3-step process. An initial exploratory search of PubMed was conducted to identify relevant keywords and terms. This will be followed by searches of PubMed, Web of Science Core Collection, Scopus, ProQuest Central, and ACM Digital Library databases, as well as online gray literature sources to identify eligible studies. A date limit of October 2015 will be applied to the searches, with no language limitations. Three reviewers will independently screen, select, and extract data from relevant evidence sources. Data extraction and analysis will be charted and mapped through the lenses of 4 distinct frameworks: Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT), RE-AIM, Human-AI Interaction (HAI), and user experience (UX) principles. OSF https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/AYQJC.

Reef islands are small, low-lying landforms composed of unconsolidated bioclastic materials and are highly vulnerable to coastal hazards exacerbated by climate change. This vulnerability has driven extensive research interest in shoreline changes across temporal scales ranging from short-term (seasonal) to long-term (decadal) dynamics. In this review, we first conducted an exploratory search of publicly available databases to assess the global distribution of reef islands and their potential for providing baseline data. Based on the PRISMA 2020 framework, we then examined 74 studies to identify data sources and methods commonly used to analyse reef island shoreline changes. Our findings indicate that no global dataset currently exists that specifically identifies reef islands, despite the potential value of such a dataset. Shoreline changes have been assessed for over 91 atolls and 119 non-atoll reef islands (excluding a global study) spanning the Pacific, Indian, and Atlantic Oceans. However, inconsistencies in time spans, reporting practices, and error assessments make cross-study comparisons challenging. Analysis of data sources revealed that 40% of studies were purely desktop-based, while only 11% relied solely on field data. Most used a combination of remote sensing and field-based approaches. Emerging technologies such as drones and LiDAR remain underutilised in reef island research, although they provide promising opportunities for high-resolution mapping and monitoring. This review provides a methodological framework to guide future research on reef island shoreline changes.

Objective: To identify and understand the risk factors that contribute to falls in frail older adults and the appropriate strategies for their prevention.Methodology: A descriptive exploratory search was conducted based on scientific publications found in databases such as PubMed, ResearchGate, Google Scholar, and SciELO. Inclusion criteria comprised articles published between 1989 and 2024.Results: The ageing process is inevitable and multifactorial, leading to the deterioration of all human body systems. Physical inactivity in older adults is an additional factor that exacerbates frailty and increases the likelihood of falls in this age group. Proper assessment and preventive measures are essential to mitigate these consequences.Conclusion: Physical exercise is an important factor in preventing falls in frail older adults and can even help counter some of the consequences of the ageing process, such as frailty.

Abstract Background Systematic searches for research within the field of crime interventions are challenging. There is a lack of examples to inform how and where to search, and which resources can help identify research from countries across the world. Updating a systematic map of interventions to reduce gang-related violence included searching 55 resources to identify research published since 2005. The search strategy used in the original review required revision and efforts were made to identify relevant research published outside scholarly journals, and research conducted outside of the USA. The updated search included conventional database searches, network graph searches (citation- and related-item-searching using the former Microsoft Academic Graph), and website searches. Objective The objective of this study is to describe the design of the database update searches and to understand which information resources were useful in identifying relevant records, non-journal records, and records of research conducted outside of the USA. Methods (1) We reflected on the search strategy design process, which was informed from analysing the records in the original systematic map and exploratory searches. (2) We focussed on 157 new records in the updated map that met the eligibility criteria of the original map and matched these to the search results obtained from each information resource. Findings At the planning stage it appeared necessary to search many resources and to use multiple concepts to capture the diverse literature. The 157 relevant records were found across 37 of the 55 information resources searched. These resources spanned multiple research fields. Eleven resources each provided at least 10% of the records, collectively yielding 80% of the records. Citation and related-item searches provided 24 records not identified elsewhere. Just 20% (32/157) of records described studies conducted outside the USA. This included 11% (17) from the UK and 6% (10) from low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). There was a lack of resources that supported identification of studies from LMIC. Most of the non-US grey literature comprised reports conducted in the UK. Conclusions Information resources change over time, though the principle of taking a multi-stranded approach to the choice of search terms and selection of information resources appears essential to find intervention research within the field of criminology. Boolean text-based searches can be strengthened by using network graph searching (citation and related-items searches). The findings emphasise challenges for locating research published outside of the USA. Newer resources are worth investigating for their potential in addressing this challenge. We recommend those funding, producing and disseminating research consider how to enhance its visibility and reduce research waste.

Background/Objectives: Loneliness and social isolation are common among older adults and linked to adverse health outcomes. Videoconferencing can support social connections, but the role of aging-in-place organizations (AIPOs), such as senior centers and Area Agencies on Aging, in facilitating adoption is poorly understood. This review examined how AIPOs use relational videoconferencing to promote social engagement among older adults. Methods: We applied a hybrid methodology combining a scoping review with latent topic modeling to contextualize and analyze the evidence base. Exploratory searches revealed limited literature specifically addressing AIPO involvement; therefore, we first conducted latent topic modeling of the broader literature on social videoconferencing among older adults to establish a thematic foundation for the subsequent PRISMA-guided scoping review. Thematic analysis of this broader corpus, identified through 2021 database searches, applied Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) to a collection of peer-reviewed articles. Subsequent refinement of this corpus by removing non-primary research and non-AIPO records produced the narrower PRISMA subset used for the scoping review. The scoping review followed JBI guidelines and was based on database searches (EBSCOhost: MEDLINE, AgeLine, SocINDEX, Health Source: Nursing/Academic Edition, and Family & Society Studies Worldwide; ProQuest Social Science Premium Collection; and PubMed, including MEDLINE, PMC, and in-process content) for peer-reviewed studies published between 2011 and 2025. Inclusion criteria required primary research involving adults aged 65 years or older, use of videoconferencing technology for social engagement, and reference to AIPOs or analogous community-based aging services. The protocol was post-registered with the Open Science Framework. Results: The LDA analysis of 101 peer-reviewed articles identified six latent themes describing the broader research landscape: problem of isolation, character of socialization, physical health, technology as intervention, technology as social medium, and supportive environments. This thematic framework informed the scoping review, which screened 1908 records and retained 25 publications (representing 24 unique studies) explicitly referencing AIPO involvement in relational videoconferencing. Only one study predated COVID-19. Mapping these studies to the LDA-derived themes revealed the least consistent coverage to be in supportive environments and physical health, particularly among AIPOs other than senior or community centers. Conclusions: Relational videoconferencing has potential to sustain and expand older adults' social connections, but evidence mapped through the scoping review shows that documentation of how AIPOs support adoption is sparse. The hybrid approach advances understanding of videoconferencing in aging contexts and identifies priorities for documenting, comparing, and refining AIPO practices to inform future interventions and policy.

Purpose This paper explores the longstanding disconnect between Knowledge Organization (KO) and Information Retrieval (IR), advocating for their integration to improve subject access in humanities and cultural heritage (CH) collections, including newer types of collections, such as those of research data. Design/methodology/approach Through a critical synthesis of literature, standards and recent advances in both KO and IR, the paper identifies key advantages and challenges and proposes a collaborative research agenda to address them. Findings While KO Systems (KOS) provide semantic depth and contextual accuracy, and IR systems offer scalability, their independent development has limited the effectiveness of search systems for humanities and CH collections. Today’s operational search systems lack the capacity to support nuanced, exploratory search due to this disconnect. In addition, both KO and IR fields come with challenges which might be addressed via a complementary approach. The purposeful integration of KO and IR is necessary to address challenges such as opaque IR algorithms, underused or outdated KOS, and the need for context-aware, transparent and inclusive discovery environments. Practical implications Integrated KO-IR systems can support more accurate and inclusive discovery interfaces for libraries, museums and archives, as well as any search system, enhancing the visibility and usability of their resources. Originality/value The paper brings together perspectives from traditionally separate communities and calls for a de-siloed approach to designing subject access systems. It introduces key research questions and strategies for aligning KOS with advanced IR techniques.

ABSTRACTQuery reformulation is a critical aspect of the exploratory search model. During exploratory browsing, searchers issue broad queries to learn about the breadth of the topic; during focused searching, they issue narrow queries to learn about a specific aspect of the topic. Typically, little support is provided by the search interface to help searchers refine and reformulate their queries. This research addresses this gap, demonstrating a generative AI approach to suggesting both broad and narrow queries. Using a timeline of past search activities (queries issued and search results saved), the approach allows searchers to reformulate their queries based on specific saved search results, previous queries issued, or the current query. This gives the searcher interactive control not only over whether to request broad or narrow query suggestions, but also upon what information to base those suggestions.

The teaching of medical history, once central to medical education, has been progressively displaced by science- and competency-focused curricula. In anesthesiology, despite the presence of historical scholarship and institutional resources, the history of this specialty is rarely used as a formal educational tool. This narrative review explores how historical narratives can support the development of professionalism and professional identity in anesthesia training. An exploratory search of the literature revealed no prior studies explicitly linking anesthesia history to professional identity formation, underscoring a gap in current scholarship. Drawing on the foundational literature in medical education and selected historical examples, including figures such as Crawford Long, Henry Beecher, and Virginia Apgar, this review illustrates how reflective engagement with historical episodes can deepen ethical awareness, foster identity formation, and contextualize the evolving role of the anesthesiologist. It proposes a theoretical framework and strategies for integrating historical content into anesthesia curricula and argues that historical reflection can complement existing methods for teaching professionalism. The history of anesthesia, when purposefully employed, offers a powerful means to humanize training, support critical reflection, and better prepare trainees for the ethical and professional challenges of contemporary practice.

Women with disabilities face higher risks of maternal morbidity and mortality, particularly in low- and middle-income countries like sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Barriers such as socio-cultural stigma, health facility inaccessibility, and lack of supportive healthcare contribute to their limited access to maternity services, exacerbating their vulnerability. Despite significant research on maternal health in SSA, studies focusing on women with disabilities remain scarce, and current healthcare services often fail to accommodate their needs. This scoping review explores barriers to maternity care accessibility among women with disabilities in SSA, highlighting gaps in research necessary for developing interventions that align with global health goals, such as reducing maternal mortality by 2030. This current scoping review was informed by the methodological framework proposed by Arksey and O'Malley. Exploratory searches were conducted in JSTOR, PubMed, PsycINFO, African Journals Online, and Web of Science, etc., to identify studies conducted in SSA that focused on access, utilisation, and barriers to maternity services such as antenatal care (ANC) visits, facility delivery, and postnatal care visits among women with disabilities in SSA since the introduction of the sustainable development goals (SDGs). Twenty-two studies were included, spanning from June 1st 2016 to 30th May 2024. Of the 22 eligible studies out of 416 identified studies published between 2016 and 2024, 20 were conducted across eight countries in SSA. Eight studies employed quantitative methods, 12 used qualitative approaches, and two used mixed-methods analysis. These studies focused on all or either of the maternal health services measured in this study, which include antenatal care (ANC), facility delivery, and postnatal care (PNC) among women with disabilities. Findings indicate that, despite a strong desire for ANC, physical impairments, mobility issues, and unsupportive infrastructure hinder access. Although facility deliveries were high, support gaps and negative provider attitudes were common. The WHO health system framework categorisation shows that more barriers are within the service delivery and health workforce domains. The review found limited studies on access to and utilisation of ANC, facility delivery, and PNC for women with disabilities in SSA. This gap restricts understanding of the issue and hampers interventions, increasing risks to maternal and child health. Urgent research and interventions are needed to address equity challenges in these services for disabled women in SSA.

Abstract Sustainability has become a global priority in response to the effects of climate change, environmental degradation, and pressure on natural resources. In this context, production processes play a central role due to their high impact on energy consumption, waste generation, and socio-labor dynamics. However, the transition toward sustainable models faces multiple technical, economic, and regulatory challenges that hinder effective implementation. This article presents a narrative review focused on analyzing approaches, practices, technologies, and limitations associated with sustainability in production processes. The main objective is to synthesize recent developments and examine the opportunities and barriers faced by various industrial sectors in adopting sustainable strategies. The methodology involved an exploratory search of relevant scientific and technical literature, selecting sources that comprehensively addressed environmental, economic, and social dimensions. The documents were organized into five thematic axes: theoretical foundations, sector-specific practices, technology and resource efficiency, regulations and certifications, and common challenges. The results show that sectors such as textiles and chemicals have made significant progress using clean technologies, tools such as Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), and international certifications (ISO 14001, WRAP). Nonetheless, limitations related to profitability, regulatory complexity, and scalability of solutions persist. It is concluded that productive sustainability requires a comprehensive and adaptive approach, supported by technological innovation, multisectoral cooperation, and the strengthening of institutional capacities to accelerate the transition toward more responsible and resilient models.

Abstract Searching across diverse information platforms, such as digital humanities archives, academic digital libraries, and encyclopedias, poses challenges in managing the queries issued to each platform and synthesizing the resources discovered. While search result aggregation interfaces address this problem, how best to present the search results from different platforms in the search engine results page remains an open question. In this research, we implemented three common approaches and developed a new technique for aggregating search results across three platforms: Europeana, our University's academic library, and Wikipedia. The three common approaches (1) use tabs to switch between the platforms, (2) interleave results from each platform producing a single list, and (3) use a bento box approach to group results from each platform. The new technique organizes the search results into thematic clusters irrespective of their source platform. We designed a controlled laboratory study using a within‐subjects design and exploratory search tasks conducted in the context of digital humanities searching. We collected data from 32 student participants, focusing on utility, perceived value, and diversity of saved resources. This study provides evidence that thematic clustering can be a beneficial aggregation approach, opening opportunities for studying different ways of representing and visualizing aggregated search results.

Abstract Purpose (stating the main purposes and research question) Anthropogenic resource use contributes to pollution, violent conflict over scarce resources, loss of biodiversity, and diminished quality of life for humans. Moreover, the “safe” amount of carbon dioxide—350 parts per million—has been exceeded. The health care industry is responsible for 4–5% of total world emissions,[i] which is similar to the global food sector.[ii] Health care carbon emissions come from health care infrastructures, supply chains and health care delivery. Increasingly, health care delivery is reliant on technologies which require the use of artificial intelligence to provide supportive care, such as triage algorithms, electronic patient records, and robotics.[iii] While these technological innovations have advanced health care significantly, they also contribute to the negative effects on the environment, among others, through carbon emissions. The environmental impacts of artificial intelligence (AI) in health care—in particular—are understudied. This research seeks to fill this gap. Methods Our team ran an exploratory search in Scopus and PubMed to identify studies that integrate environmental sustainability, artificial intelligence, and health. Results Our research initially yielded 735 studies. 77 of these studies focused on an environmental concern of a health technology or AI-application in a health care setting, but most of the articles in this subset addressed lowering energy consumption of a specific technology, such as a sensor or monitoring technology. Conclusions While there have been studies looking at AI in health care; sustainability in AI; and sustainability in health care, little attention has been paid to the interface between all three. [i] Karliner, J., Slotterback, S., Boyd, R., Ashby, B., & Steele, K. 2019. Health Care’s Climate Footprint: How the Health Sector Contributes to the Global Climate Crisis and Opportunities for Action Healthcare Without HarmARUP; September. [ii] Pichler, P. P., Jaccard, I. S., Weisz, U., & Weisz, H. 2019 International Comparison of Health Care Carbon Footprints, Environmental Research Letters 14, no. 6: 064004. [iii] Khaliq, Abdul, Ali Waqas, Qasim Ali Nisar, Shahbaz Haider, and Zunaina Asghar. 2022. Application of AI and robotics in hospitality sector: A resource gain and resource loss perspective. Technology in Society 68: 101807.

Ototoxicity is the adverse reaction in the auditory system caused by exposure to xenobiotics. Animal models have been used to improve the understanding of ototoxicity research. Zebrafish (Danio rerio) is a model animal that is being increasingly used in ototoxicity research. Here, we identified and map the evidence on the use of zebrafish as an animal model to study ototoxicity. We conducted an exploratory systematic search in the three databases (Cochrane, LILACS, and PubMed) with a two-step screening process based on inclusion/exclusion criteria. Outcome measures of included nondrug xenobiotics studies (n = 15) and drugs (n = 118) were grouped into hair cell death rate, exposure time, and developmental stages. Our review indicates zebrafish to be an important model to screen the ototoxicity potential of xenobiotics but also demonstrates that novel studies are necessary to define the most appropriate evaluation outcomes and specific protocol.

Purpose Since the knowledge search process centers on managing distinctive and valuable resources while leveraging a particular technological context, the influences of organizational slack and environmental dynamism on exploration and exploitation have been extensively studied. However, empirical evidence on organizational slack and environmental dynamism has largely developed separately, and little is known about their relative importance and the joint impact on knowledge search. This study aims to compare the different impacts of organizational slack, technological environmental dynamism, and their combined effects on exploratory and exploitative knowledge search, thereby deepening the understanding of related knowledge. Design/methodology/approach Drawing on survey data from 243 high-tech firms, this study applies multiple hierarchical regression analyses to contrast the relative impacts of organizational slack and the frequency and unpredictability of technological changes in the environment on exploratory and exploitative knowledge searches. It also compares the interactive effects of organizational slack and technological environmental dynamism on these knowledge search processes. Findings The empirical analysis demonstrates that technological environmental dynamism exercises more influence on exploratory knowledge search relative to organizational slack. The study also finds that exploratory knowledge search is facilitated more by the interplay of slack resources and technological environmental dynamism than exploitative knowledge search. Originality/value Hence, they provide a clear explanation regarding how to craft a firm’s strategic choice between exploratory and exploitative knowledge search in different configurations of organizational slack and technological environmental dynamism.

Migraine is a multifactorial disease that affects adults aged 22 to 55 years; the most common symptoms are severe to moderate, unilateral, pulsating pain. It may or may not be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, photophobia, and phonophobia. In addition, these symptoms persist for 4 to 42 hours. Currently, the search for alternative therapies for the management of migraine pain, such as the use of medicinal cannabis, has grown due to the undesirable side effects of conventional therapy and due to the legalization of medicinal cannabis in the United States. Therefore, the objective of this study was to conduct a literature review to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the use of medicinal cannabis, that is, medicinal marijuana as an alternative treatment for migraine. The methodology used in this research was an exploratory search for narrative review and systematic review articles through the MEDLINE (PubMed), LILACS (BVS Salud), Scielo and Google Scholar databases. The following keywords were used to conduct these searches: adults, migraine, efficacy, safety and medicinal cannabis. The results obtained by research were that treatment with medicinal cannabis helped in the reduction and frequency of migraine attacks, and its adverse effects were drowsiness, dizziness, vertigo, cough, dry mouth, dry eyes, anxiety and feeling of imbalance. It is concluded that the use of medicinal cannabis for the treatment of migraine can be effective and safe; however, more clinical studies are still needed. It was observed in the studies listed in this review that the adverse effects of medicinal cannabis are mild and tolerable by patients.

Introduction: Medial column instability has been identified as a key factor contributing to the increased failure rates observed after locking plate (LP) fixation for unstable proximal humerus fractures (PHFs). Recent studies have reported promising biomechanical and clinical outcomes with the use of LP fixation augmented by an additional plate for medial column stabilization. The current article provides an overview of the available clinical literature for dual plate fixation of unstable PHFs with medial column instability. Materials and methods: For the arrangement of this narrative, non-systematic review, an exploratory search in the MEDLINE (via PubMed) database using the keywords combinations: “proximal humerus fracture” and “dual plate”; “proximal humerus fracture” and “double plate”; “proximal humerus fracture” and “additional plate” was conducted. Results: The initial search in Pubmed yielded 24 studies, but only 9 studies satisfied the inclusion criteria and were subject to further analysis. There were 165 patients with PHFs in the nine included studies. The average age was 57 years (range 18–84 years). The average follow-up was 21.8 months (range 12–52 months). The average Constant-Murley Score at the final follow-up was 79.9 (71.5–90.4). There were a total of 12 (7.3%) reported clinically relevant complications and 15 (9.1%) re-interventions. Various plates were used as additional fixation to the PHLP: 1/3 tubular plate; a Variable Angle Locking Compression Plate (Distal Radius System); non-locking 3-hole T-plate; 2.7-mm T-shaped locking plate; anatomical medial locking plate; 2.7-mm micro-locking plate; Conclusion: Adding a second plate to PHLP fixation for unstable PHFs with medial column insufficiency has shown promising clinical outcomes with a relatively low complication rate, despite the additional soft tissue dissection required. The anterior placement of the secondary plate is less technically demanding and can serve as a temporary reposition tool. However, anterior plating has been associated with a higher risk of avascular necrosis compared to medial plating. The variability in techniques and implants used for dual plating complicates drawing definitive conclusions. Moreover, the current evidence is limited, and additional studies with a higher level of evidence are needed to support the efficacy and routine application of the dual plating technique for unstable PHFs.

Introduction. The relationship between search and browse has long been framed as separate, interleaved and sometimes equal activities. With the shift to nearly exclusive online behaviour, this relationship is changing Method. In light of some surprising incidental research findings, we conduct a critical literature synthesis of literature on search typologies, exploratory search and browsing, especially digital browsing. Analysis. Based on the results of previous work, we identify a gap in previous models of search, specifically searching to browse. Results. The notion of searching to browse changes the relationship between searching and browsing, particularly in a digital context. This new form of both searching and browsing creates a need for new interfaces, particularly for collecting items of interest. Conclusions. We argue for searching to browse as a new form of information behaviour, one that is slowly being accommodated by digital information systems. We recommend that more digital information systems take searching to browse into account.

ABSTRACT This study examines how manufacturing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in emerging economies use exploitative and exploratory search to improve environmental performance via new product development. Analyzing time-lagged data from Ghanaian SMEs, we find that both search strategies enhance environmental outcomes, with new product development as a key mechanism. Environmental dynamism moderates these effects—strengthening exploitative search while weakening exploratory efforts—highlighting the need for strategic alignment in volatile contexts. Our findings extend prior research by linking organizational search to environmental outcomes and by revealing how dynamic conditions shape these relationships. Policy implications point to a dual-track approach: efficiency-focused tax incentives alongside targeted grants for sustainability-driven innovation. We discuss a roadmap for policy makers to build adaptive industrial ecosystems and for SME managers to align innovation with environmental goals.

In response to the challenge of rapid unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) path planning for bridge construction in complex terrain, this paper presents an enhanced snake optimization (CSGLSO) UAV three-dimensional path planning algorithm. Initially, this study enhances the stochasticity strategy for generating initial populations within the Snake Optimization (SO) algorithm employing the Piecewise Chaotic Mapping technique, thereby obliterating transient periodic traits and fostering equilibrium in the solution space of the SO algorithm’s progenies. Subsequently, integrating the Subtraction-Average-Based Optimizer algorithm mitigates the issue of convergence speed within the SO algorithm confronting high-dimensional complex functions. Ultimately, employing adaptive t-distribution and lens imaging reverse learning facilitates the evasion of local optima within the current position by the SO algorithm, thus augmenting its exploratory prowess. To ascertain the efficacy of the enhanced algorithm, 14 standard test function convergence comparison experiments were conducted, as well as three-dimensional path planning simulation experiments under multi-scenario conditions of bridge construction by UAV. Experimental findings reveal that relative to SO, Hybrid Snake Optimizer Algorithm, Improved Salp Swarm Algorithm, and Exploratory Cuckoo Search, CSGLSO manifests shorter and more streamlined trajectories, accelerated convergence rates, and elevated optimization precision. Thereby, UAVs are empowered to execute path-planning endeavors expeditiously and precisely within intricate environments.