Research Services leads NOAA policy analysts and scientists in gathering information to support evidence-based decision-making and scientific inquiry. Our team integrates best practices in literature review methodologies to ensure that you have a high level of confidence and access to the best available science. Here are some of the things our team can do for you:
Research Service librarians are information specialists that develop extensive search strategies required to conduct thorough literature reviews. Through the integration of best practices in evidence synthesis, our processes and methodologies can ensure a more transparent, reproducible, and thorough literature review.
Our librarians work alongside your research team in order to contribute knowledge and searching expertise to find information that addresses your specific research question. Search strategies developed by our team are constructed to ensure a thorough review has been conducted to address each question, but can also be tailored when evidence needs to be assessed rapidly.
We understand that the needs of NOAA leadership, policy analysts, project managers, and scientists vary. To help determine your needs and the scope of the project, our team will work with you to understand your specific research needs. Examples of information our team takes into consideration include: how the information is intended to be used, the level of confidence required in relation to decision-making, whether the specific decisions are mandated to use the best available science, and your team's timeline.
See how our service is working to support you into the future in our FY22-FY24 Research Services Strategic Plan.
Systematic methodologies & decision making
Thomas-Walters, L., Nyboer, E. A., Taylor, J. J., Rytwinski, T., Lane, J. F., Young, N., . . . Cooke, S. J. (2021). An Optimistic Outlook on the Use of Evidence Syntheses to Inform Environmental Decision-Making. Conservation Science and Practice, 3(6) https://doi.org/10.1111/csp2.426
Pullin, A. S., Cheng, S. H., Cooke, S. J., Haddaway, N. R., Macura, B., McKinnon, M. C., & Taylor, J. J. (2020). Informing Conservation Decisions through Evidence Synthesis and Communication. In Conservation Research, Policy and Practice. J. A. Vickery, N. Ockendon, N. Pettorelli, P. N. M. Brotherton, W. J. Sutherland, & Z. G. Davies (Eds.), (pp. 114-128). Cambridge University Press https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108638210.007
Bennett, M. G., Lee, S. S., Schofield, K. A., Ridley, C., Norton, S. B., Webb, J. A., . . . Collins, A. (2018). Using Systematic Review and Evidence Banking to Increase Uptake and Use of Aquatic Science in Decision-Making. https://doi.org/10.1002/lob.10283
Haddaway, N. R., Bernes, C., Jonsson, B. G., & Hedlund, K. (2016). The Benefits of Systematic Mapping to Evidence-Based Environmental Management. Ambio, 45(5), 613-620. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13280-016-0773-x
Haddaway, N., Woodcock, P., Macura, B. and Collins, A. (2015), Making literature reviews more reliable through application of lessons from systematic reviews. Conservation Biology, 29: 1596-1605. https://doi.org/10.1111/cobi.12541
The NOAA Central Library is to support and further NOAA’s mission of promoting global environmental stewardship in order to conserve and wisely manage the Nation's marine and coastal resources; and describing, monitoring, and predicting changes in the Earth's environment in order to ensure and enhance sustainable economic opportunities.