Taubman Library Talks | Language matters: Handling tough terms in systematic searching - February 29th, 2024
Visit
https://guides.lib.umich.edu/TaubmanTalks/ToughTerms for supplementary materials
Please note that this webinar will include discussions about terms
that may be uncomfortable or offensive, and their context within the
health sciences and systematic searching. Taubman Library Talks
recognizes the potential for harm in using these terms, particularly for
members of minoritized, stigmatized, and/or historically excluded
groups. The discussion about and use of offensive terminology in
searches is not meant to legitimize them in any way.
Language matters: Handling tough terms in systematic searching
Due to the nature of their topics, some searches must include
antiquated, non-standard, exclusionary, and offensive terms in order to
identify all published literature on the topic. This is particularly
true of searches supporting evidence syntheses, where a robust and
sensitive search is critical to the validity of the review.
While many individuals and groups are invested in the
critically important work of changing indexing practices and terms
across disciplines, systematic searches must still include the language
used in the published literature throughout the years and in different
research communities. Review teams, editors, and readers may question
the inclusion of these terms, especially exclusionary and offensive
terms, because of their potential to cause harm and trauma.
In this webinar, Taubman Library Talks co-hosts Mark MacEachern and Whitney Townsend
bring together a panel of expert searchers to discuss their experiences
handling "tough terms" and emerging language in health sciences
systematic searching. The panel will share valuable resources and
practical strategies for deciding when to include or exclude problematic
terms, talking with the project team, knowing your limits and biases,
and responsible search reporting.
Panelists:
- Kate Saylor (U-M) and Robin Parker (Dalhousie U), LGBTQIA+ search filter (in development by MLA LGBTQIA+ Caucus)
- Rebecca Orozco (United States Air Force Academy) and Ruby Nugent (National Jewish Health), from MLA Hispanic/Latinx Caucus hedge validation project
- LaTeesa James (U-M) and PF Anderson (U-M), Disabilities filter (in development)
- Dorice Vieira (NYU Langone), extensive work on expert searching for Black/African American diaspora, including development of search filters