Improving Access to Scholarly Literature in Behavior Analysis

Behavior analysts must stay up to date with the latest research to provide high-quality, evidence-based services. However, accessing scholarly literature can be time-consuming and costly. A recent publication by Valentino, Juanico, Fuhrman, and Lidhar (2023) proposes a structured system to help practitioners quickly obtain research articles. This blog post summarizes their findings and explains how behavior analysts and organizations can implement this model to enhance clinical decision-making.

Why Access to Research Matters

Keeping up with research isn't just for academics. Behavior analysts rely on peer-reviewed studies to:

• Improve clinical decision-making and treatment outcomes
• Comply with the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) Ethics Code
• Train and supervise staff using evidence-based practices
• Bridge the gap between research and real-world application

Despite these benefits, many professionals struggle to access scholarly literature due to financial costs, time constraints, and difficulties using research databases.

Common Barriers to Research Access

Behavior analysts often face challenges when attempting to stay current with research. Some of the most common barriers include:

1. Subscription and Paywalls – Many journals require expensive subscriptions.
2. Limited Search Skills – Practitioners may not know how to conduct effective literature searches.
3. Time Constraints – Clinical work, training, and administrative tasks take priority.
4. Overwhelming Volume – With thousands of published articles, it’s difficult to know where to start.
5. Lack of Institutional Access – Many professionals do not have access to university libraries.

Given these challenges, a structured system for requesting literature can help behavior analysts integrate research into their daily practice more efficiently.

A Structured Literature Request System

Valentino et al. (2023) describe a model for increasing behavior analysts' access to research articles. Their system includes:

• A Literature Liaison – A designated individual responsible for managing literature requests
• A Literature-Access Team – A group of professionals trained to locate and retrieve journal articles
• An Online Request System – A Google Form or similar tool that allows practitioners to submit research requests

This model ensures that practitioners receive relevant research articles quickly, without spending excessive time searching on their own.

Key Components of the Literature Request System

1. Literature Liaison Role – Oversees and manages the process, ensuring timely responses.
2. Literature-Access Team – A group of professionals who retrieve articles and assist practitioners in understanding research findings.
3. Electronic Submission Form – A simple online form where clinicians can request specific articles or general research on a topic.
4. Journal and Database Access – Leverages available resources such as university affiliations and open-access databases.
5. Tracking and Data Monitoring – Keeps records of requests to ensure efficiency and track research interests.
6. Rapid Response Time – Ensures requested materials are provided within seven days.

By implementing this model, organizations can remove many of the barriers that prevent clinicians from accessing research.

Implementing the Literature Request System in Your Organization

Behavior analysts working in clinical settings, schools, or private practices can benefit from adopting this system. Here’s how to get started:

1. Designate a Literature Liaison – Identify someone with research expertise to manage literature requests. This person may be a BCBA-D, research-focused BCBA, or senior clinician.
2. Build a Literature-Access Team – Recruit staff members interested in research to help gather and distribute articles.
3. Develop an Online Request Form – Use tools like Google Forms or Microsoft Forms to create a simple submission process. Include fields for the topic, article title (if known), and reason for the request.
4. Leverage Existing Resources – Utilize institutional subscriptions, university partnerships, and open-access repositories to locate requested articles.
5. Monitor and Improve the System – Track request volume, response times, and user feedback to refine the process.

Small organizations can scale this model to fit their resources by starting with a single liaison or using publicly available research databases.

Additional Strategies for Accessing Research

Beyond a formal request system, behavior analysts can take the following steps to improve their access to scholarly literature:

• Use Open-Access Journals – Search for research in journals that allow free access. Sites like PubMed Central, ResearchGate, and Google Scholar often provide free copies.
• Network with University Libraries – Connect with colleagues who have institutional logins to request permitted copies of articles.
• Join Professional Associations – Organizations like ABAI and APBA offer members access to select research journals.
• Follow Researchers on Social Media – Many researchers share their published work on platforms like Twitter, LinkedIn, and ResearchGate.
• Request Articles from Authors – Emailing the corresponding author directly is often allowed and can result in receiving a free copy of a paper.

Taking Action to Improve Research Access

Behavior analysts have an ethical obligation to stay informed about scientific developments in their field. The structured literature request system proposed by Valentino et al. (2023) offers a practical way to overcome barriers to accessing research.

To implement this system in your workplace or personal practice:

1. Identify a research liaison to manage requests.
2. Create a simple online submission form for requesting articles.
3. Build a small team to assist with literature searches.
4. Use existing journal access, open-access platforms, and professional networks.

By fostering a culture of research engagement, organizations can help clinicians stay current with best practices, ultimately improving outcomes for the individuals they serve.

Interested in learning more? Read the full article by Valentino et al. (2023) for a detailed breakdown of the literature request system: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-023-00887-w.

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