Paul Fehrmann, Librarian
Reference, Instruction, and Collection Development
University Libraries
Kent State University
Kent, Ohio
330-672-1659
pfehrman@kent.edu
faculty.kent.edu/pfehrman

Primary Library Responsibilities

Reference Services

Instruction Services

Liaison    Anthropology, Jewish Studies, Philosophy, Psychology, Sociology, and Religious Studies.

Research - the rationale, functions and technologies of different literature review methodologies. Current research areas/projects

Computers and Systematic Literature Searching: documenting and reporting

• Computer Search Report Checklist (CSRC): Two characteristics valued in systematic literature reviews (SR) are the "reproducibility"and "comprehensiveness" of the literature searches that form the basis for such literature reviews (SR). Focusing on *computer searches in SR, an initial goal for the CSRC has been to help readers determine if and how "reproducibility" and "comprehensiveness" are represented in the computer search *reports found in SR. It does seem that this kind of checklist might serve or contribute to the following four functions: 1. guiding the planning and execution of computer searching for SR, 2. guiding the reporting of such searching, 3. guiding the evaluation of such reporting, and, possibly, 4. guiding the evaluation of actual searches represented by the reports. Version One (11/01/08)

• Work using a CSRC subset for evaluation of comprehensiveness is progressing (6/09)

• Draft article: Comprehensive Computer Searches and Reporting in Systematic Reviews (10/10/09) This research contributes to discussions of systematic review quality by analyzing the comprehensive computer search techniques reported in published systematic reviews in psychology.

• Article submitted: Comprehensive Computer Searches and Reporting in Systematic Literature Reviews (03/05/10) - under review.

• Poster overview of CSRC development and use: "Creating a resource for evaluating computer search reports in systematic reviews." Presentation for the ACRL's EBSS Research Forum, June 26, 2010. Washington, DC.

• Article published: Fehrmann, P., & Thomas, J. (2011). Comprehensive computer searches and reporting in systematic reviews. Research Synthesis Methods, 2(1), 15-32. doi:10.1002/jrsm.31

Systematic Reviews in Philosophy and Religion

• Faculty Professional Improvement Leave (Fall, 2010). My focus was on the potential of systematic reviews for topics in religion and philosophy. Research ongoing.