A paper by Professor Emerita Linda C. Smith, "Reviews and Reviewing: Approaches to Research Synthesis," is one of seven papers included in the relaunch of the Annual Review of Information Science and Technology (ARIST), a collection of peer-reviewed, comprehensive, and systematic reviews on topics relevant to information science.
ARIST was published by the Association for Information Science and Technology (ASIS&T) from 1966 to 2011 and relaunched in 2024.
In her paper, Smith highlights the evolution in forms of research synthesis, the diversification of users from peers to practitioners and policymakers, and the impacts of information technology. She also demonstrates how reviews and reviewing have evolved over the years. While work remains to better understand the impact of review articles, reviews are now recognized as distinctive research contributions, Smith said.
"With the recent relaunch of ARIST, there is once again a tool to embody evidence synthesis methods that can transform primary research into a resource that informs research, policy, and practice," she said.
Smith and her fellow authors will give brief presentations of their articles and answer questions with ARIST Editor-in-Chief Lisa Given at an ARIST Launch Party on Monday, March 18, from 5:00-6:00 p.m. Eastern Time.