PubMed · 1998829
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N G Tomaiuolo. 1991. Paraprofessionals and reference.. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1998829/
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New roles for librarians are emerging as a result of rapid changes in information technology. The literature is replete with controversy about nonprofessionals staffing the reference desk, yet such changes in staffing may provide the time librarians need to do other tasks. This paper describes a research project that examined reference desk staffing in academic medical school libraries and its effect on questions received and the provision of a consultation service. A questionnaire was sent to all academic medical school libraries in North America and a 70% return rate was achieved. Results indicated a significant relationship between nonprofessional staffing and both the questions received and the provision of research consultation by appointment. The author suggests that services be reconfigured to make more effective use of both professional and nonprofessional staff.
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Meta-analysis is an epidemiological and statistical tool used to combine the results of independent studies and synthesize their conclusions for the purpose of evaluating therapeutic effectiveness, determining procedural efficacy, or providing a basis for development of treatment protocols. Meta-analysis also may be described as "studying the studies." The process, however defined, requires access to a large quantity of medical literature and presents new opportunities for medical librarians to use their data gathering skills. At Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, a librarian assists with the identification, location, and review of literature in support of meta-analysis projects done by the Technology Assessment Program. Comprehensive literature searches are performed and references with abstracts, indexing terms, and other elements of the unit record are downloaded, converted, and presented as records in a database program. References are then analyzed, decisions are made about their relevance, and article copies are acquired for further analysis.