Article type
Year
Abstract
Background: the Cochrane Information Specialists (CIS) Support Team provides inductions, technical and methodological support, and training (online and in person) to assist CIS in all aspects of their role within a Cochrane Review Group. In particular, the CIS Support Team instructs CIS on use of the Cochrane Register of Studies (CRS), a tool designed for storing, maintaining and developing study registers.
Objectives: the objectives of this survey were to learn if the CIS Support team was meeting the learning needs of the CIS community, and to support improvements to the team’s resources and services.
Methods: in March 2019 we disseminated an online survey to the CIS community via the Cochrane IS email list (info-specialists@lists.cochrane.org), dedicated Slack channels and Cochrane Forums. The survey contained 28 questions about the usefulness of the CIS Support Team’s resources (Digest newsletter, IS portal website, and CRS training videos/guides), and services (helpdesk, induction and in-person training). Responses were anonymous and all questions were optional.
Results: 32 IS completed the survey (participation rate of 68%). Overall, CIS rated the Support Team’s resources (4.43/5 - weighted average) and services (4.46/5) as "very useful". CIS rated the CIS Support Helpdesk (4.54/5) and in-person training (4.5/5) as the most useful services, and the digest email newsletter (4.47/5) as the most useful resource. CIS ranked the IS portal lowest (3.93/5) of the six resources and services. CIS liked the "quick response" time of the Helpdesk and interactivity of in-person training. For training materials, CIS liked “having several short videos instead of one long one,” and having a “combination of video and PDF guides.” The IS portal received suggested improvements to “make CRS information more visible” and “update the navigation.”
Conclusions: survey responses will inform future enhancements of the CIS Support Team’s resources and services. From the survey, the CIS Support Team learned that responsiveness and face-to-face training are highly valued by CIS. The team could improve by having online training sessions that cover multiple time zones and reorganizing content on the IS portal.
Objectives: the objectives of this survey were to learn if the CIS Support team was meeting the learning needs of the CIS community, and to support improvements to the team’s resources and services.
Methods: in March 2019 we disseminated an online survey to the CIS community via the Cochrane IS email list (info-specialists@lists.cochrane.org), dedicated Slack channels and Cochrane Forums. The survey contained 28 questions about the usefulness of the CIS Support Team’s resources (Digest newsletter, IS portal website, and CRS training videos/guides), and services (helpdesk, induction and in-person training). Responses were anonymous and all questions were optional.
Results: 32 IS completed the survey (participation rate of 68%). Overall, CIS rated the Support Team’s resources (4.43/5 - weighted average) and services (4.46/5) as "very useful". CIS rated the CIS Support Helpdesk (4.54/5) and in-person training (4.5/5) as the most useful services, and the digest email newsletter (4.47/5) as the most useful resource. CIS ranked the IS portal lowest (3.93/5) of the six resources and services. CIS liked the "quick response" time of the Helpdesk and interactivity of in-person training. For training materials, CIS liked “having several short videos instead of one long one,” and having a “combination of video and PDF guides.” The IS portal received suggested improvements to “make CRS information more visible” and “update the navigation.”
Conclusions: survey responses will inform future enhancements of the CIS Support Team’s resources and services. From the survey, the CIS Support Team learned that responsiveness and face-to-face training are highly valued by CIS. The team could improve by having online training sessions that cover multiple time zones and reorganizing content on the IS portal.
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