This paper outlines the inter‐professional collaboration of the authors, a PhD student, his supervisor and an information professional, to systematically search the literature for an ill‐defined concept. The research question posed for the scoping literature review indicated that the topic, the subjective socio‐economic status and health of adults with intellectual disabilities, was rare. The need for a methodological search process was therefore identified and successfully carried out. The paper presents an analysis of the processes and the collaboration involved in developing a successful search strategy. The resulting transformative learning by the researcher of the professional practice of the information specialist illuminates their facilitating and supportive role in advancing health related research.