Research and practice: Developing searching guidelines during a pandemic

During the COVID-19 pandemic response, librarians worldwide were tasked with providing current and relevant evidence to decision makers. The urgency of searching for appropriate information during a public health emergency, the novelty of the pathogen, the lack of standardised language, and rapid changes in research dissemination during the pandemic presented challenges not readily addressed by existing approaches or standards. Discussions among information professionals demonstrated the need for flexible recommendations to guide searching during an infectious disease outbreak as well as future emergencies. In response, a group undertook a project to identify best practices and craft guidelines, Best Practices for Searching during Public Health Emergencies. This chapter describes the planning, conduct, and dissemination of the rapid research study conducted during the response phase of a public health emergency. It describes the evolution of the research question, the development of the methodology and plan, and the selection of the best practices format, which enabled contextualisation and adaptation. The information professionals involved in the project built international relationships, asserted leadership and rapidly implemented new skills and tools. This chapter provides insights into personal experiences and lessons learned and encourages readers to identify and reflect on related experiences. Readers will learn about the challenges and opportunities of qualitative research and the adjustments needed to adapt to emergency contexts; reflect on experiences facilitating successful collaboration involving diverse groups; and through understanding the affordances and limitations of best practice guidelines identify any gaps in professional standards that could be addressed using a similar approach.