Basic Research Methods for Librarians, 5th Edition / Edition 5

by Lynn Silipigni Connaway, Ronald R. Powell

Overview

This thoroughly updated introduction covers the major issues involved in designing and conducting original research relevant to the fields of library and information science.

Addressed to practicing librarians and other information professionals, as well as master's and doctoral students in LIS programs, Basic Research Methods for Librarians, Fifth Edition specifically covers the research methodologies likely to be used by librarians, providing guidance on designing and conducting research and publishing research results.

Like its predecessors, this fifth edition is exceptionally comprehensive. Content has been thoroughly updated and sections have been added on social networking and other web-based research methods and techniques. The book emphasizes quantitative research, including survey and experimental studies. It also gives attention to qualitative research, including historical research. A chapter is devoted to the statistical analysis of research results. Evaluation, writing, and publishing of research reports are considered as well. Coauthored by distinguished researchers in library and information science, the book also includes contributions from experts on qualitative research, domain assumptions of research, and sampling.

• Library and information science examples to explain research methodologies and techniques

• Explanations and examples of sampling procedures

• A table for determining sample sizes and a random number table

• Notes at the end of each chapter, plus a list of more than 400 research-related references at the end of the book

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781591588658
Publisher:	ABC-CLIO, Incorporated
Publication date:	09/17/2010
Series:	Library and Information Science Text Series
Pages:	370
Product dimensions:	6.90(w) x 9.90(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Lynn Silipigni Connaway, PhD, is senior research scientist at OCLC Research. Her research has been funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services and JISC in the United Kingdom.

Ronald R. Powell, PhD, is professor emeritus of the School of Library and Information Science at Wayne State University, Detroit, MI.

Table of Contents

Contents

Preface

Chapter 1: Research and Librarianship

Research Record

Definition of Research

Types of Previous Library Research

Limitations of Previous Library Research

Rationale for Basic Research in Library and Information Science

Growth of the Profession

Management

Reading Research Reports

Improved Service to Researcher

Personal Benefits

The Future of Library Research

Chapter 2: Developing the Research Study

Planning for Research

The Scientific Method of Inquiry

A General Outline for Research

General Criteria for Basic Research

Identification of the Problem

Domain Assumptions of Research, by Jack D. Glazier

Characteristics of a Problem Suitable for Basic Research

Statement of the Problem

Identifying Subproblems

The Role of Theory in the Design of Research

Definition of Theory

The Formation of Theories

Testing the Theory

Formulating Hypotheses

Definitions of Hypotheses

Sources of Hypotheses

Developing the Hypothesis

Variables

Concepts

Desirable Characteristics of Hypotheses

Testing the Hypothesis

Validity and Reliability

Validity of Research Design

Validity in Measurement

Logical Validity

Empirical Validity

Construct Validity

Reliability of Research Design

Reliability in Measurement

Scales

Summary

Chapter 3: Selecting the Research Method

Applied Research

Action Research

Evidence-Based Research

Evaluative Research

Qualitative Research

Specific Research Methods

Survey Research

Experimental Research

Historical Research

Operations Research

Modeling

Systems Analysis

Case Study

Delphi Study

Content Analysis

Bibliometrics

Task-Based Research

Comparative Librarianship

Technology-Based Research Methods

Ethics of Research

General Guidelines

Guidelines for LIS Professionals

Ethics for Research on the Internet

Scientific and Research Misconduct

Summary

Additional Readings

Chapter 4: Survey Research and Sampling

Survey Research

Major Differences between Survey Research and Other Methods

Types of Survey Studies

Exploratory Surveys

Analytical and Descriptive Surveys

Other Types of Surveys

Basic Purposes of Descriptive Surveys

Basic Steps of Survey Research: An Overview

Formulating Objectives

Selecting Data Collection Techniques

Selecting the Sample

Collecting the Data

Analyzing and Interpreting the Results

Survey Research Designs

Survey Research Costs

Sampling

Basic Terms and Concepts

Types of Sampling Methods

Nonprobability Sampling

Probability Sampling

Determining the Sample Size

Use of Formulas

Sampling Error

Other Causes of Sampling Error

Nonsampling Error

Sampling In-Library Use, by Sebastian Mundt

Summary

Chapter 5: Data Collection Techniques

The Questionnaire

Pre-Questionnaire Planning

Advantages of the Questionnaire

Disadvantages of the Questionnaire

Constructing the Questionnaire

Type of Question According to Information Needed

Type of Question According to Form

Scaled Responses

Question Content and Selection

Question Wording

Sequencing of Questionnaire Items

Sources of Error

Preparing the First Draft

Evaluating the Questionnaire

The Pretest

Final Editing

Cover Letter

Distribution of the Questionnaire

Mail Questionnaire

Electronic Questionnaire

The Interview

Developing the Interview

Conducting the Personal Interview

Disadvantages of the Interview

Advantages of the Interview

Focus Group Interviews

Analysis and Reporting of the Focus Group Data

Other Advantages and Disadvantages of the Focus

Group Interview

Telephone Interviews

Observation and Usability Testing

Advantages of Observational Research

Limitations of Observational Research

Unstructured Observation

Structured Observation

Usability Testing

Summary

Chapter 6: Experimental Research

Causality

The Conditions for Causality

Bases for Inferring Causal Relationships

Controlling the Variables

Random Assignment

Internal Validity

Threats to Internal Validity

External Validity

Threats to External Validity

Experimental Designs

True Experimental Designs

True Experiments and Correlational Studies

Difficulties to be Avoided

Evaluating the Experiment

Preexperimental Designs

Quasi-Experimental Designs

Ex Post Facto Designs

Web-Based Experiments

Summary

Chapter 7: Qualitative Research Methods

Lynn Westbrook

Underlying Principles of Naturalistic Work

Naturalism as a Research Paradigm

Naturalism in LIS Research

Ethical Concerns

Data Gathering Techniques

Sampling

Observation

Interviews

Documents: Questionnaires, Diaries, Journals, Papers, and More

Data Analysis Tools and Methods

Discourse Analysis

Content Analysis Basics

Content Analysis Terms

The Constant Comparative Method of Content Analysis

Coding Data

Coding Techniques

Moving from Codes to Theory

Insuring Coding Integrity

Developing Grounded Theory

Ensuring Integrity

Primary Techniques

Additional Techniques

Presentation of Findings

Summary

Chapter 8: Historical Research

Nature and Value of Historical Research

Chronology

Importance of Historical Research to Librarianship

Types of Historical Research

Sources of Historical Information

Evaluation of Historical Sources

External Criticism

Internal Criticism

Basic Steps of Historical Research

The Hypothesis in Historical Research

Collecting the Data

The Presentation of Findings

Library History

Bibliographical Research

Systematic Bibliography

Descriptive Bibliography

Problems in Historical Research

Summary

Chapter 9: Analysis of Data

Role of Statistics

Cautions in Using Statistics

Steps Involved in Statistical Analysis

The Establishment of Categories

Coding the Data

Analyzing the Data—Descriptive Statistics

Analyzing the Data—Inferential Statistics

Parametric Statistics

Nonparametric Statistics

Selecting the Appropriate Statistical Test

Cautions in Testing the Hypothesis

Statistical Analysis Software

Analysis of Nonquantified Data

Summary

Chapter 10: Writing the Research Proposal

Value of Research Proposals

Organization and Content of a Typical Proposal

Title Page

Abstract

Table of Contents

Introduction and Statement of the Problem

Review of Related Research

Research Design

Institutional Resources

Personnel

Budget

Anticipated Results

Limitations of the Study

Back Matter

Characteristics of a Good Proposal

Features That Detract from a Proposal

Obtaining Funding for LIS Research

Summary

Chapter 11: Writing the Research Report

General Objectives of the Research Report

General Outline of the Research Report

The Preliminaries/Front Matter

The Text

Back Matter

Guidelines for Organizing and Presenting the Research Report

Organization of the Report

Footnotes and Documentation

Prose Style of the Report

Text Preparation

Graphic Presentation of Data

Oral Presentations of the Report

Evaluating the Research Report

Suggested Criteria for Judging a Research Report

Publishing Research Results

Summary

References

Author Index

Subject Index