Evidence-based
information practice in
developing countries:
issues and contexts
Buhle Mbambo-Thata, DPHIL
UNISA Library
Pretoria. South Africa
Overview of presentation
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Introduction
Definition
EBI practices
Approaches to practice
Issues
Role of information professional
Some applications
Intervention strategies
Conclusion
Introduction
• Evidence-based librarianship
• Evidence-based librarianship or information
• Research informed practice or supporting
clients research?
• Relevance to contexts
• Researching self?
Definitions
• an applied science: “merging scientific
research with pressing need to solve
practical problems” Elderedge 2000
• “an approach to information science that
promotes the collection, interpretation and
integration of valid, important and
applicable user reported, librarian observed
and research derived evidence” Booth 2000
Definitions (continued)
• A generally accepted working definition
includes; EBIP as …. a means to improve
the information practice by asking questions
as well as finding, critically appraising and
incorporating research evidence from
library science into daily practice….. my
addition …. decision making
EBI practices
• Information management processes that
constitute evidence-based information
practise include:
– Problem specification (clarifying question)
– Searching the literature
– Filtering results
• Evaluate validity
• Assess the relative value
– Critical appraisal
EBI practices (continued)
• Implementation processes include
– Applying results
– Evaluating performance
Two emerging approaches of EBIP
• A(internal): intervention to improve level of
practice within library
• B(external): Intervention to improve practice of
information integration in a subject field
Both are integral to information practice. Both
reinforce each other and need to be engaged.
Focus of presentation
• Presentation will touch on both aspects but
focus on evidence-based problem solving,
policy influence, social practice and the role
of the librarian and /or information officers.
• NOTE not all information is evidence
Information management and
evidence
• Information not evidence
• Application just –in-time and appropriate
application to problem solving turns it into
evidence .
• Information management an essential
prerequisite to application in evidence—
facilitating access.
Emerging Trends
• Literature on EBIP practice in developing
countries, and Africa, in particular was difficult to
locate
• Increasing call for evidence based information
practice in the health sector
• Increased call for usage of research information in
policy formulation
• Post WSIS era has called for greater involvement
of library and information sector to inform
planning in government information issues
Why the apparent lack of evidence
of EBIP?
• Could be technical- not cited in mainstream to
search (not in Google either)
• Could not be an area of activity
• Could off the print radar
• Could be not documented practice even where it
may be occurring (as in reflective practice)
• Need evidence on where EBIP is in developing
countries
EBIP in developing countries?
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Policy formulation requires it
Decision making requires it
Scarce resources demand it
Development issues depend on it
Quality of life issues in, health, agriculture,
education, economics will be better served
Issues
• Context and methods of evidence gathering
• Indigenous knowledge
– Unrecorded knowledge
– Oral culture based knowledge in environment
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Tapping on tacit knowledge
Examining reflective practice
What knowledge is objective?
Measurement of research impacts?
Paradigms of operation
Role of information professional
• Linking information, research policy formulation
and development
• Question is how?
• Managing information
• Creating networks and frameworks for
collaboration with stakeholders for problem
definition, information access, and application to
research
• Aligning own skills in order to tap into oral, tacit
and public information
Some applications…
• Cameroun: July- 2006 A workshop organised to
bring researchers and policy makers to discuss
implementation of research findings
(http://www.asafe.org)
• Information literacy colloquium examining more
than print literacy in various disciplines, while
engaging information literacy applications (IFLA)
• Kaniki call for libraians to be involved in
indigenous knowledge management for
development (2006 Stellenbosch Symposium
http://www.lib.sun.ac.za/Sym2006/Presentations1.htm)
Intervention strategies
• Evidence- --research EBIP practice
• Engagement in fields where EBIP lands
itself as modus operandi--- health
information, agriculture, and economics
• Create frameworks for IK access and
applications
• Collaborate to find an information entrance
• Return to information science
Intervention strategies (continued)
• Make local research visible(--- institutional
repositories)
• Training--- continuing education,
curriculum change
• Advisory role
• Building practice and research partnership
• Return to funding of library and information
science programmes and practice
Conclusion
• The role of information profession is to inform
– To identify intervention niches, just in time
– To be part of the research and policy formulation
process solution
• Information, policy and research cycle is intricate
• Information professionals to engage in
examination of role and applications
• Where is information science?
• How do we engage with IK?
• Training and funding part of strategic direction.
Thank you
mbambt@unisa.ac.za