Research Methods in Library and Information Science, 6th Edition
This book's up-to-date coverage of the principles, data collection techniques, analyses of quantitative and qualitative methods, as well as the advantages and limitations of each method provide a broad introduction to research design.
Print Flyer
November 2016
Libraries Unlimited
Pages |
478 |
Volumes |
1 |
Size |
7x10 |
Topics |
Research Methods, Statistics, and Data/Research Methods |
|
Research Methods, Statistics, and Data/General |
An essential resource for LIS master's and doctoral students, new LIS faculty, and academic librarians, this book provides expert guidance and practical examples based on current research about quantitative and qualitative research methods and design.
Conducting research and successfully publishing the findings is a goal of many professionals and students in library and information science (LIS). Using the best methodology maximizes the likelihood of a successful outcome. This outstanding book broadly covers the principles, data collection techniques, and analyses of quantitative and qualitative methods as well as the advantages and limitations of each method to research design. It addresses these research methods and design by discussing the scientific method, sampling techniques, validity, reliability, and ethical concerns along with additional topics such as experimental research design, ethnographic methods, and usability testing.
The book presents comprehensive information in a logical, easy-to-follow format, covering topics such as research strategies for library and information science doctoral students; planning for research; defining the problem, forming a theory, and testing the theory; the scientific method of inquiry and data collection techniques; survey research methods and questionnaires; analyzing quantitative data; interview-based research; writing research proposals; and even time management skills. LIS students and professionals can consult the text for instruction on conducting research using this array of tools as well as for guidance in critically reading and evaluating research publications, proposals, and reports.
The explanations and current research examples supplied by discipline experts offer advice and strategies for completing research projects, dissertations, and theses as well as for writing grants, overcoming writer's block, collaborating with colleagues, and working with outside consultants. The answer to nearly any question posed by novice researchers is provided in this book.
Features
- Now in its sixth edition, the book provides new and updated content that is even more comprehensive than before and contains added sections featuring the voices of prominent LIS scholars, researchers, and editors
- "Voices of the Experts" text boxes provide researchers' advice on specific methods and identify what was most important or most valuable about using a particular method and software for analysis—e.g., NVivo, SurveyMonkey, and log capture
- Written by coauthors with extensive expertise in research design, securing grant funding, and using the latest technology and data analysis software
- Author Info
-
Lynn Silipigni Connaway, PhD, is the director of library trends and user research at OCLC Research. She leads user studies and the digital visitors and residents project at OCLC Research. She was the chair of the ALA ACRL Value of Academic Libraries Committee and is an international and national speaker on how individuals get their information and engage with technology and the assessment and development of user-centered library services. Connaway held the Chair of Excellence position at the Departmento de Biblioteconomía y Documentación at the Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, was a visiting researcher in the Department of Information Studies, University of Sheffield, and was a visiting scholar at the Royal School of Library and Information Science, Copenhagen, Denmark. She has received research funding from the IMLS in the US and Jisc and the Arts and Humanities Research Council in the UK. Dr. Connaway is the co-author of the 4th and 5th editions of Basic Research Methods for Librarians and has authored numerous other publications.
Marie L. Radford, PhD, is chair and professor in the Department of Library and Information Science at Rutgers University, NJ. An award-winning author, her latest books are Conducting the Reference Interview, 3rd Ed. (with Catherine Sheldrick Ross and Kirsti Nilsen, 2019, ALA Editions), Library Conversations: Reclaiming Interpersonal Communication Theory for Understanding Professional Encounters (with Gary Radford, 2017, ALA Editions) and Research Methods in Library and Information Science, 6th ed. (with Lynn Silipigni Connaway, 2017, Libraries Unlimited). Her research areas focus on qualitative research, interpersonal communication within virtual and traditional library contexts, and postmodern approaches to media stereotypes of librarians/libraries. Her current research projects examine scholarly identity work in social networking sites (such as ResearchGate and Academia.edu), information practices surrounding use of smart speakers, and microaggressive behavior in library encounters. She gives frequent keynote speeches and presentations at national and international library conferences and publishes extensively in prestigious LIS journals. She is co-PI of the "Seeking Synchronicity" (with Lynn Silipigni Connaway) and "Cyber Synergy" (with Lynn Silipigni Connaway and Chirag Shah) grant projects funded by IMLS, Rutgers, and OCLC. She received the 2010 ALA/RUSA Mudge Award for distinguished contributions to reference.
- Reviews/Endorsements
Reviews
"This book would surely benefit any researcher, experienced or new, who is doing or wants to do research in the field of LIS. . . I wish I had this helpful reference at the start of my PhD program."—The Library Quarterly
- Student Resources
- Visit the course companion site for Research Methods in Library and Information Science today for access to additional material, including:
• The preface from the book including a description of what's new in the 6th edition
• The table of contents from the 6th edition
• References from each chapter of the book with live links to URLs
• A link to a webinar conducted by the authors on survey research methods
