Was this helpful? Using AI to support a rapid review of academic literature on expressive art.

This is a new series of academic blog posts - this is leading up to a talk Nathalie Kachouh are scheduled to give on May 13-15 related to expressive art and employee relations.

Paper 114: Exploring the Potential of Expressive Art in Employee Development for Front-line Workers and First-line Managers: A Rapid Review

You can find more about the EPRBSS conference hosted by Middlesex University Dubai via link in comments.

In this paper, we are attempting a rapid review to provide some theoretical support to our entrepreneurship project "Sparks of Art". This is at the request of our early industry partners who need more assurance as to the efficacy of the method.

And so, that I add value to the conversation, I'm attempting this rapid review in employing a new AI tool from SciSpace following the guidance and recommendations of a traditional approach to literature review as proposed by Professor Anne-Wil Harzing .

The structure follows Professor Anne-Wil's series of videos on her YouTube channel (link also in comments) and I attempt to use SciSpace (see comments) to fulfill each of her recommended actions in order.

This particular post addresses:

• Information management strategies
• Where it fits in the research process

Information management strategies

Professor Anne-Wil's first recommendation is to maintain a research log - such as EndNote. This is because we are human and fallible, and likely to forget where we found a useful resource.

My usual strategy is to create One Drive folders where I store links or downloaded PDFs of the documents I am reading. I will then use a word document and draw out key paragraphs, before thematically coding them either based on a theoretical model, or more often as per the chapter in which they will eventually sit. After 10 articles have been consumed, I will combine content into a Spreadsheet, and then begin structuring a narrative. For my study into Artificial Intelligence I also made use of Microsoft One Note, which was extremely useful.

SciSpace affords the opportunity to buildout your own research notebook, which I've now done. This informs me that this notebook comes with an AI writer to help "overcome writer's block". It will also paraphrase text for me. OK, so now I'm ready with my new research log. Time for episode 2.

Where it fits in the research process

According to Professor Anne-Wil, the literature review should address six areas of the research project. These include defining the initial question and problem, identifying theoretical lenses and research methodologies by which to examine them, and supporting analysis of the primary data generated.

The topic we are exploring addresses the following real-world scenario:

...to investigate the efficacy of expressive art in the development of front-line workers and first-line managers, particularly those who lack traditional college or university education.

The question that I will begin asking the literature - via SciSpace - is whether this is a problem, and what gaps in the literature may have already been identified. I copy and paste the above into the "ask a question" bar and I am offered three suggestions based on my text. Already very helpful.

I take the offered "How does the incorporation of expressive art into training programs affect the overall well-being and job performance of front-line workers and first-line managers?" which results in 10 papers being identified, and a helpful summary of the "top 5" provided with a form of reference so I can go to the original and find/verify the meaning. It will synthesise 10 papers if I go premium.

Given I am performing an experiment I've decided to take out a 1 month subscription for $20 and try again. This is the result of a 10-paper summary.

The incorporation of expressive art into training programs has shown significant positive effects on the overall well-being and job performance of front-line workers and first-line managers. Expressive art therapy (EAT) has been found to effectively reduce anxiety and depression symptoms, improve quality of life, and enhance pulmonary function in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), suggesting its potential benefits for improving the mental health and physical well-being of workers in high-stress jobs [1]. Similarly, expressive arts interventions have been demonstrated to reduce psychosocial stress among healthcare workers, leading to improvements in burnout, stress, and emotional outcomes, which are critical factors affecting job performance and satisfaction [2]. Positive expressive writing, as a form of expressive art, encourages individuals to identify and reflect upon positive life aspects, which has been linked to improved health and well-being. This suggests that incorporating such practices into training programs could foster a more positive work environment and enhance job performance through improved mental health [3]. Moreover, the use of art to express and articulate experiences beyond language has been shown to decrease stress levels among military members, indicating that expressive art can serve as a powerful tool for front-line workers and managers to articulate their experiences and reduce job-related stress [4]. Expressive arts have also been utilized to address high levels of anxiety, PTSD, and depression among migrants, demonstrating the versatility of expressive arts in catering to diverse groups and potentially benefiting workers in various front-line and managerial positions by addressing similar psychological challenges [5]. Furthermore, the integration of expressive art into occupational therapy has strengthened the occupational profile and information-gathering process, suggesting that expressive art techniques can enhance the evaluation process and support the development of client-centered goals and individualized intervention planning, which could be translated into improved job performance and client service delivery among front-line workers and managers [6]. The application of expressive arts activities in cognitive-behavioral psychotherapies has shown promising results in examining thoughts and memories, indicating that such activities could enhance self-awareness and emotional regulation among workers, thereby improving job performance and interpersonal skills [7]. Additionally, participation in expressive arts workshops has been associated with improved mood and task enjoyment, further supporting the positive impact of expressive arts on job satisfaction and performance [8]. Lastly, an innovative labor training program utilizing expressive arts and theatre as pedagogical tools has demonstrated positive short-run employment and earnings impacts, suggesting that expressive arts can significantly enhance job readiness and performance among youth, which could be extrapolated to benefit front-line workers and first-line managers in various sectors [9]. In conclusion, the incorporation of expressive art into training programs offers a multifaceted approach to improving the well-being and job performance of front-line workers and first-line managers by addressing mental health issues, enhancing emotional regulation, fostering positive work environments, and improving interpersonal and job-related skills.

OK... let's try looking for research gaps. My 'human' search question "what research gaps have been identified in the intersection of expressive arts and employee engagement?" is improved by the AI to "How has the field of expressive arts and employee engagement evolved over the past decade, and what are the emerging research areas?". I've also made use of the filter buttons "top-tier journals", "open access" and "pdf".

Over the past decade, the field of expressive arts and employee engagement has seen significant evolution, marked by a deeper understanding of the psychological and organizational factors that influence work engagement and performance. Research has expanded beyond traditional metrics of job satisfaction and performance to include innovative approaches like participatory arts and New Ways of Working (NWW), alongside a nuanced exploration of work engagement's psychological impacts. The role of work engagement as a mediator between affective commitment, job satisfaction, and outcomes such as job performance and intention to quit has been established, highlighting the importance of distinguishing between these constructs for organizational effectiveness [1]. Concurrently, the adoption of NWW has been shown to foster work engagement by enhancing communication efficiency and coworker connectivity, despite its potential to increase work interruptions [2]. The COVID-19 pandemic further underscored the critical role of employee engagement, with businesses adopting strategies like mental relief care and resilience building to maintain engagement during challenging times [3]. Emerging research areas include the exploration of the "dark side" of work engagement, such as its curvilinear relationship with psychological distress and job performance, suggesting that extremely high levels of engagement may not always yield positive outcomes [4]. Additionally, participatory arts-based approaches have been recognized for their potential in healthcare settings, indicating a broader applicability of expressive arts in engaging and understanding diverse stakeholder perspectives [5]. The public sector's exploration of psychological parameters affecting work engagement, including the importance of strategic clarity and creating a safe space for honest mistakes, represents another emerging research area [6]. Moreover, the expressive writing technique's effects on patients with chronic illnesses hint at the therapeutic potential of expressive arts beyond organizational contexts [7]. Finally, the evolving landscape of performance management [8], the financing of cultural and creative industries [9], and the analysis of affective expression in corporate settings [10] all contribute to a richer understanding of how expressive arts and employee engagement are intertwined and evolving. This multidisciplinary approach underscores the field's dynamic nature and its expanding research frontiers, reflecting a shift towards more holistic and human-centric organizational practices.

This is beginning to highlight a number of important considerations, paradigms and trends - including the Covid-19 pandemic, New Ways of Working, and challenges in the public sector which a colleague Dr. Nitin Simha Vihari has researched recently - and which incidentally sparked my interest into the rapid review methodology.

I now examine the methodological literature around rapid reviews, with my search term: "How should a rapid review research study be undertaken?" improved to: "What are the key components of a rapid review research study design?"

The key components of a rapid review (RR) research study design encompass several critical steps and considerations that ensure the process is both expedited and maintains a high level of integrity and relevance. Firstly, setting a clear research question and establishing study eligibility criteria are foundational steps that guide the entire RR process, ensuring focus and relevance to the intended outcomes [1]. The involvement of knowledge users (KUs) from the outset is crucial for aligning the RR with the needs of healthcare providers, policy-makers, and potentially patients, making the findings more applicable and likely to be implemented [2]. A systematic and streamlined approach to literature search and selection is vital. This involves working with information specialists to optimize search strategies for precision and sensitivity, selecting relevant databases, and possibly reducing the size of the search result to manage the workload effectively [3]. The acceleration of study selection, data extraction, and risk of bias (RoB) assessment can be achieved through methodological shortcuts such as dual screening of a proportion of records and proceeding with single-reviewer screening once sufficient agreement is achieved [4]. The RR methodology also emphasizes the importance of engaging with stakeholders throughout the review process, including planning, conduct, and knowledge translation phases, to ensure the review remains focused and relevant to end-users [5] [6]. The design and development of web-based interventions, for instance, benefit from an iterative, co-design approach that incorporates user needs and preferences from the beginning, underpinned by either quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methods [7]. Moreover, the rapid review approach should be adaptable, allowing for the inclusion of both quantitative and qualitative evidence, and should employ tools like the Cochrane Risk of Bias for assessing the quality of included studies [8]. The process of synthesizing evidence should be transparent and systematic, with the findings presented in a manner that is accessible and useful for decision-makers, potentially using frameworks to structure the analysis and recommendations [9]. Finally, the design of RRs should anticipate the need for rapid response in public health emergencies, as evidenced by the COVID-19 pandemic, by preparing standardized research protocols in advance for quick deployment [10]. This preparation involves identifying common clinical research questions and recommended study designs to swiftly gather data on clinical characterization, treatment, and diagnostics during outbreaks . The validity of the RR approach, especially for focused clinical questions, can be supported by combining abbreviated literature searches with single-reviewer screening, although sensitivity may vary depending on the complexity of the topic .

There is a ton to dig through here, but based on a criteria of more is good, this already looks helpful. It's certainly not good to be used in a publication. But as groundwork for deeper reading it's very good.

I just need to be diligent about following Professor Anne-Wil's guidance on downloading the reference list... as I'm not sure if the same sources will appear again with the same prompt. Logic and the way AI works suggests it won't...

The download process works nicely... and from cursory glance at the journals in the list, they appear top tier. But we'll examine that in more detail in a future post.

To be continued...