LGBTQ+ health research guides: a multi-institutional analysis of usage patterns and user information needs
Objective: LGBTQ+ health research guides can strengthen the LGBTQ+ community through connecting people to quality health services and information, and previous studies have recommended that health sciences libraries create and maintain these guides. Little evidence exists, though, on how these guid...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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University Library System, University of Pittsburgh
2023-10-01
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| Series: | Journal of the Medical Library Association |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://jmla.pitt.edu/ojs/jmla/article/view/1661 |
| _version_ | 1827801458945294336 |
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| author | Gregg A. Stevens Martin Morris Robin M. N. Parker Francisco J. Fajardo Erica R. Brody Katie McLean |
| author_facet | Gregg A. Stevens Martin Morris Robin M. N. Parker Francisco J. Fajardo Erica R. Brody Katie McLean |
| author_sort | Gregg A. Stevens |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description |
Objective: LGBTQ+ health research guides can strengthen the LGBTQ+ community through connecting people to quality health services and information, and previous studies have recommended that health sciences libraries create and maintain these guides. Little evidence exists, though, on how these guides are used and how well they meet the needs of LGBTQ+ users. Using retrospective data retrieved from multiple LGBTQ+ health research guides, we examined the categories of LGBTQ+ health information most used, as well as how often guides were accessed. Based on these results, we hope to find patterns which can lead to best practices for libraries.
Methods: Five North American academic health sciences libraries contributed select usage data from their LGBTQ+ health research guides, covering a three-year period (July 2018-June 2021). Data was analyzed in two ways. Firstly, the 20 most-clicked resources from each guide were categorized through open coding, to assess if certain information resource categories were more popular among guide users, allowing for inference of user needs. A time-series analysis was also conducted for two sites, using the Classical Seasonal Decomposition by Moving Averages method, to provide deeper insights into the data.
Results: Open coding data showed consumer health information resources were used more often than other health resource categories. Resources from more locally based organizations and those with provider and services information were heavily used, indicating that users may be looking for information connecting to local health services and providers. The time series analysis allowed the potential positive effect of guide promotion to be showcased in ways that would not have been clear from the raw data.
Conclusion: This study shows that people are accessing LGBTQ+ consumer health information through academic library research guides, with a preference for local information. Guide usage appears to be positively driven by outreach within one’s institution and to the greater community. Locating external partners may increase guide impact and provide important links to local resources and services.
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| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T20:24:35Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-b7abef701ff245c2b6645910ee3e99a3 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1536-5050 1558-9439 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T20:24:35Z |
| publishDate | 2023-10-01 |
| publisher | University Library System, University of Pittsburgh |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of the Medical Library Association |
| spelling | doaj.art-b7abef701ff245c2b6645910ee3e99a32023-10-02T18:42:45ZengUniversity Library System, University of PittsburghJournal of the Medical Library Association1536-50501558-94392023-10-01111410.5195/jmla.2023.1661LGBTQ+ health research guides: a multi-institutional analysis of usage patterns and user information needsGregg A. Stevens0Martin Morris1Robin M. N. Parker2Francisco J. Fajardo3Erica R. Brody4Katie McLean5Manager, Library Education and Clinical Services, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MAAssociate Librarian, Schulich Library of Physical Sciences, Life Sciences and Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, QCEvidence Synthesis Librarian, W. K. Kellogg Health Sciences Library, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NSAssistant Director, Public and Information Services, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine Medical Library, Florida International University, Miami, FLResearch and Education Librarian, Health Sciences Library, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VALibrarian Educator, Nova Scotia Health Authority, Halifax, NS, Canada Objective: LGBTQ+ health research guides can strengthen the LGBTQ+ community through connecting people to quality health services and information, and previous studies have recommended that health sciences libraries create and maintain these guides. Little evidence exists, though, on how these guides are used and how well they meet the needs of LGBTQ+ users. Using retrospective data retrieved from multiple LGBTQ+ health research guides, we examined the categories of LGBTQ+ health information most used, as well as how often guides were accessed. Based on these results, we hope to find patterns which can lead to best practices for libraries. Methods: Five North American academic health sciences libraries contributed select usage data from their LGBTQ+ health research guides, covering a three-year period (July 2018-June 2021). Data was analyzed in two ways. Firstly, the 20 most-clicked resources from each guide were categorized through open coding, to assess if certain information resource categories were more popular among guide users, allowing for inference of user needs. A time-series analysis was also conducted for two sites, using the Classical Seasonal Decomposition by Moving Averages method, to provide deeper insights into the data. Results: Open coding data showed consumer health information resources were used more often than other health resource categories. Resources from more locally based organizations and those with provider and services information were heavily used, indicating that users may be looking for information connecting to local health services and providers. The time series analysis allowed the potential positive effect of guide promotion to be showcased in ways that would not have been clear from the raw data. Conclusion: This study shows that people are accessing LGBTQ+ consumer health information through academic library research guides, with a preference for local information. Guide usage appears to be positively driven by outreach within one’s institution and to the greater community. Locating external partners may increase guide impact and provide important links to local resources and services. http://jmla.pitt.edu/ojs/jmla/article/view/1661LGBTQ health informationresearch guideshealth disparitieshealth sciences librariesconsumer health |
| spellingShingle | Gregg A. Stevens Martin Morris Robin M. N. Parker Francisco J. Fajardo Erica R. Brody Katie McLean LGBTQ+ health research guides: a multi-institutional analysis of usage patterns and user information needs Journal of the Medical Library Association LGBTQ health information research guides health disparities health sciences libraries consumer health |
| title | LGBTQ+ health research guides: a multi-institutional analysis of usage patterns and user information needs |
| title_full | LGBTQ+ health research guides: a multi-institutional analysis of usage patterns and user information needs |
| title_fullStr | LGBTQ+ health research guides: a multi-institutional analysis of usage patterns and user information needs |
| title_full_unstemmed | LGBTQ+ health research guides: a multi-institutional analysis of usage patterns and user information needs |
| title_short | LGBTQ+ health research guides: a multi-institutional analysis of usage patterns and user information needs |
| title_sort | lgbtq health research guides a multi institutional analysis of usage patterns and user information needs |
| topic | LGBTQ health information research guides health disparities health sciences libraries consumer health |
| url | http://jmla.pitt.edu/ojs/jmla/article/view/1661 |
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