Dissemination and Impact

The goals of the Research Training Institute (RTI) are to increase research competencies, quantity, quality, and dissemination, and build research capacity among health librarians to contribute to health and library improvements. The RTI Project Leadership Team is dedicated to sharing information and educating the public about the important work of the RTI. The team will share RTI successes, lessons learned, curriculum information, work products, data collection instruments, research results and impact, and reports to inform education and research programs in the library field and educate the public about the role and value of the health sciences librarian–led research.

RTI will communicate information and research findings using in-person, online, and print strategies that reach a broad range of audiences. Face-to-face dissemination efforts will include networking, sessions at professional meetings, and conference presentations. Online channels that will be used include the RTI website, RTI Community of Practice forums (email discussion lists and resource sharing), RTI News, press releases, email discussion lists, social media, videos, photos, and data visualizations. RTI staff and Fellows will also create publications and posters that spotlight significant findings resulting from their participation in the RTI.

RTI Press Releases

IMLS Awards Grant to MLA to Bolster Research Education for Health Sciences Librarians

August 3, 2017

RTI News

Read updates on the RTI News blog.

Data Visualizations

Visualizing the Research Topics of 2018 RTI Applicants, September 5, 2018

RTI-Related Presentations

• Kloda L, Philbrick J, Lessick S. Reducing uncertainty: building health sciences librarians’ capacity for evidence based practice through a Research Training Institute [PowerPoint slides]. Paper presented at: Using Evidence in Times of Uncertainty: 10th International Evidence Based Library and Information Practice Conference; Glasgow, Scotland, UK; 17–19 Jun 2019. 22 PowerPoint slides, color.
• Lessick S. Research Training Institute (RTI) for health sciences librarians update [PowerPoint slides]. Paper presented at: Adapting | Transforming | Leading, MLA ’18: Medical Library Association Annual Meeting; Atlanta, GA; 18–23 May 2018. 20 PowerPoint slides, color.
• Philbrick JL, Kloda LA, Lessick S. Elevating health sciences librarians’ research capacity through an innovative Research Training Institute (RTI) [PowerPoint slides]. Paper presented at: Elevate! MLA ’19: Medical Library Association Annual Meeting; Chicago, IL; 3–8 May 2019. 24 PowerPoint slides, color.

RTI Assessment Findings

Many aspects of the RTI program have been evaluated and carefully analyzed to help others understand our program, methods, and results, and replicate or modify them to suit their own educational needs and objectives.

RTI Capstone Experience

Fellows participate in a capstone experience that serves as a culminating learning experience at the end of their RTI program. This capstone experience consists of giving an oral presentation and preparing an electronic poster on their research projects that is shared at a special RTI session at the Medical Library Association annual meeting. Through the capstone project, RTI Fellows apply skills learned during the institute and develop skills such as oral communication, public speaking, media literacy, goal setting, etc.—skills that will help them build research confidence and readiness so that they are able to use evidence in their professional practice to enhance services and the communities they serve.

2018 MLA RTI Fellows Electronic Posters presented at MLA ’19

2018 RTI Capstone Experience; RTI session at the 2019 MLA annual meeting

• Brown Epstein HA, Nylander E, Philbrick J. Theoretical frameworks in the research process. Panel discussion at: Elevate! MLA ’19: Medical Library Association Annual Meeting; Chicago, IL; 3–8 May 2019.
• Brunskill A, Grinstead C, Gore S. Institutional review boards (IRBs) in the research process. Panel discussion at: Elevate! MLA ’19: Medical Library Association Annual Meeting; Chicago, IL; 3–8 May 2019.
• Kellermeyer L, Lillich A, Vardell E. Using survey tools (REDCap). Panel discussion at: Elevate! MLA ’19: Medical Library Association Annual Meeting; Chicago, IL; 3–8 May 2019.
• Lessick S, Philbrick J, Vardell E, Gore S, MacEachern M. Elevate your practice with research: RTI Fellows and faculty share their experience designing and conducting research. [PowerPoint slides]. Session at: Elevate! MLA ’19: Medical Library Association Annual Meeting; Chicago, IL; 3–8 May 2019. 10 PowerPoint slides, color.
• MacEachern M, Suelzer L, Williams N. RTI training impacts on local institutions and professional activities. Panel discussion at: Elevate! MLA ’19: Medical Library Association Annual Meeting; Chicago, IL; 3–8 May 2019.

RTI Fellows’ Scholarly Contributions

The RTI highlights and disseminates the publications, paper presentations, posters, and awards of the RTI Fellows.

Data Collection Instruments

Data collection instruments are tests, questionnaires, inventories, interview schedules or guides, rating scales, and survey plans or any other forms that are used to collect information. The RTI will develop, collect, and share data collection tools used in, and relevant to the studies of institute participants, and various evaluation processes of the institute. More information will be available in the future.