Meta-synthesis in Library & Information Science Research

The meta-synthesis method has received increased interest in social science research, but relatively few meta-synthesis studies have been conducted in the library and information science (LIS) field. The purpose of this study was to analyze 44 LIS-related meta-synthesis studies in terms of contribution, meta-synthesis methodology, and research topics. The results revealed that there are four types of contributions of meta-synthesis research: isolated findings, non-dynamic relationships, dynamic relationships, and models. Moreover, a variety of methods have been used to search, select, analyze, and synthesize the individual studies. Finally, although meta-synthesis studies have been conducted on some LIS topics (e.g., health informatics, library user services, and information management), it has been an undervalued method for other research topics. Recommendations are offered to encourage the use of this method and to guide researchers to conduct more rigorous meta-synthesis studies on LIS topics.     

图书馆学情报学中的电子政务研究

为探索电子政务研究与图书馆学情报学的关系,调查我国图书馆学情报学专业硕士与博士培养单位电子政务相关研究方向的设置情况,并对我国图书馆学情报学核心期刊中电子政务的相关论文进行文献计量分析。主要分析论文的作者和机构、基金资助、研究热点与主题分布情况,发现电子政务是图书馆学情报学的重要研究领域。目前,作为交叉学科领域的电子政务研究主题正呈现出学科分化的趋势;今后,图书馆学情报学专业的电子政务研究应当更加聚焦于本专业的核心研究课题。     

Mixed methods research in library and information science: A methodological review

Mixed methods research is gaining prominence in the library and information science (LIS) discipline. However, according to previous analyses, few LIS studies utilized mixed methods research, and the researchers did not recognize or describe them as such. The present methodological review assesses the current state of mixed methods research in LIS. Eighty-four articles published between 2017 and 2018 and indexed in two core LIS databases, match the common definition of mixed methods. Out of those, 65 articles self-identified as mixed methods were analyzed focusing on reporting and conduct, specifically, the integration of quantitative and qualitative components. Review results suggest that more efforts are needed to raise awareness about using and reporting mixed methods research in LIS. This review provides guidance for future work and contributes to the discussion on how we can further improve methodological rigor, research training, and reproducibility in LIS.     

Training Librarians as Qualitative Researchers: Developing Skills and Knowledge

Preparing library and information science (LIS) professionals for the changing contexts in which they work requires them to understand qualitative research methods. Finding appropriate theories and approaches to teaching qualitative research methods is essential to develop librarians and other graduate students as qualitative researchers. The purpose of this article is to examine and discuss these and other learning theories as well as additional strategies and methods for teaching qualitative research methodology to librarians and novice researchers.     

The role of information in successful aging: The case for a research focus on the oldest old

There are gaps in research regarding the role of information in successful aging as well as concerning the information-seeking behavior of the “oldest old” (those aged 85+). This article encourages researchers in library and information science (LIS) to consider undertaking research to fill these gaps. It therefore addresses issues about the importance of the oldest age group; aging theories, including those specific to successful aging; available theories from the field of human information behavior; prior research about the information needs of the oldest old and source use (including the Internet); and the role that information might play in whether or not people are aging successfully.     

Research methods: What's in the name?

Research methods are applied in all kinds of studies, though no consensus exists regarding what constitutes a research method and how research methods should be categorized. Over 1900 research articles were obtained from three major journals published between 2001 and 2010 in library and information science (LIS). Each selected article was coded using a schema of research methods developed in this study. The coded data, along with related publications, were analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively. This exploration shows that research methods comprise data collection techniques (e.g., interview, observation) and data analysis techniques (e.g., qualitative, quantitative). Research methods should perhaps be categorized by data collection technique, as it makes more sense than if research methods are labeled as qualitative or quantitative. This study is one of the many efforts to facilitate a better understanding of research methods in LIS and help scholars make more informed decisions about research method selection in their endeavors. Its implications can be extended to LIS research education, training, and advocacy. Because research methods themselves are not discipline-specific, researchers beyond the LIS field would benefit from this study as well.     

Museum professionals and the relevance of LIS expertise

This article presents results from a survey designed to assess the relevance of library and information science (LIS) expertise—here defined as those topics typically, but not exclusively, taught in LIS programs—for museum professionals. The topics covered in this article are information representation, information organization and access, information management, computer technologies, digitization technologies, interactive technologies, information policy, evaluation methods, and collaboration initiatives. An online survey assessed the degree to which museum professionals possess skills in these topics, perform work in these topics, and consider these topics important for future study. The article examines the relative value of each topic for museum professionals and discusses the importance of strengthening relationships between LIS and museum studies by better understanding the relevance of LIS expertise in museums.     

Topics in dynamic research communities: An exploratory study for the field of information retrieval

Research topics and research communities are not disconnected from each other: communities and topics are interwoven and co-evolving. Yet, scientometric evaluations of topics and communities have been conducted independently and synchronically, with researchers often relying on homogeneous unit of analysis, such as authors, journals, institutions, or topics. Therefore, new methods are warranted that examine the dynamic relationship between topics and communities. This paper examines how research topics are mixed and matched in evolving research communities by using a hybrid approach which integrates both topic identification and community detection techniques. Using a data set on information retrieval (IR) publications, two layers of enriched information are constructed and contrasted: one is the communities detected through the topology of coauthorship network and the other is the topics of the communities detected through the topic model. We find evidence to support the assumption that IR communities and topics are interwoven and co-evolving, and topics can be used to understand the dynamics of community structures. We recommend the use of the hybrid approach to study the dynamic interactions of topics and communities.     

Report of the UNESCO “Training the Trainers in Information Literacy” (“TTT”) Workshop Ankara,Turkey, September 3–5, 2008

The purpose of this article is to explore the use of mixed methods research (MMR) in articles published in library and information science (LIS) journals in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) from 2004 to 2008. A mixed methods research framework provided in the methodological literature is used to determine how this method was practiced within the LIS scientific community in SSA. Six hundred and eighty five articles published in nine peer-reviewed LIS journals in SAA were reviewed, finding the dominant research methods in these journals to be survey designs and historical research. The use of MMR was limited: 48 out of 685 articles used the mixed methods approaches that were identified in the methodological literature. A paradigm shift and a change of mindset are recommended for LIS researchers in SSA so that they may exploit the advantages offered by mixed methods research in conducting their studies.     

Mapping mixed methods research in library and information science journals in Sub-Saharan Africa 2004–2008

The purpose of this article is to explore the use of mixed methods research (MMR) in articles published in library and information science (LIS) journals in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) from 2004 to 2008. A mixed methods research framework provided in the methodological literature is used to determine how this method was practiced within the LIS scientific community in SSA. Six hundred and eighty five articles published in nine peer-reviewed LIS journals in SAA were reviewed, finding the dominant research methods in these journals to be survey designs and historical research. The use of MMR was limited: 48 out of 685 articles used the mixed methods approaches that were identified in the methodological literature. A paradigm shift and a change of mindset are recommended for LIS researchers in SSA so that they may exploit the advantages offered by mixed methods research in conducting their studies.     

Developing systematic search methods for the library literature: Methods and analysis

Comprehensive yet efficient search methods are essential for any systematic or scoping review. This article outlines the stages of development of a systematic search methodology for a scoping review within the library and information science (LIS) literature. The effectiveness of the database search strategies (LISTA, LISA, ERIC, Scopus, Web of Science) and supplemental search techniques are measured through a retrospective analysis of performance metrics. Findings show that for research topics limited to the library setting, it may be more effective to search fewer databases (LISTA and Scopus only) for peer reviewed journal articles and allot more time to alternate search techniques such as web searching to identify non-journal literature. The article provides an evidence-based, methodological approach to developing a systematic search plan, unique to LIS researchers, that accounts for time and resource needs.     

Prevalence of methodological transparency in the use of mixed methods research in library and information science research in South Africa and Nigeria, 2009–2015

Methodological transparency facilitates rigorous, trustworthy, and reliable mixed methods research (MMR). Because divergent views on the conceptualization of mixed methods can create confusion for researchers, methodological transparency can help researchers to replicate methods in other studies and attract them to mixed methods research. Many studies have been conducted to assess the utilization of mixed methods research in several disciplines, but few in library and information science (LIS) have studied how authors describe the methods used. This study investigated the clarity and detail provided about methodology in mixed methods research articles in LIS, focusing on South Africa and Nigeria. Content analysis was used to assess 104 doctoral theses, of which 10 used mixed methods. Results suggest that methodological transparency in MMR research is underrepresented in LIS. This study contributes to the discussion on how LIS can enhance the quality of mixed methods research studies by underscoring the importance of methodological transparency in such studies. Researchers and LIS educators can use the gaps identified by this study to use and report mixed methods appropriately in future research.     

Are we there yet?: Mixed methods research in library and information science

Mixed methods research (MMR)—which integrates qualitative and quantitative methods in one study to improve the study's quality—is not common in library and information science (LIS) and has not been discussed in its literature. While still evolving and generating much discussion about its nature and standards for its evaluation, MMR has been employed in the social and behavioral sciences for more than three decades. It is already considered the third approach to research, along with the quantitative and qualitative approaches. How did this approach shape research in LIS? An analysis of 465 articles published in four major LIS research journals revealed that 22 articles (5%) employed MMR. However, the recognition of MMR by name or as a research method was absent from these articles and from the methodological literature in LIS. The various strengths of MMR suggest that being cognizant of its possible use in LIS would benefit researchers in the field.     

The study of research methods in LIS education: issues in Korean and U.S. universities

This study investigates the current state of research methods education in Korean library and information science (LIS) programs and compares research methods education between Korea and the United States. The definition of research methods is consistent and homogeneous across Korean schools, whereas research methods are defined loosely and differently in the United States. Research methods in both the United States and in Korea appear to be in a state of methodological uncertainty where dominant methods may be taught but not necessarily applied by graduate students. Research methods, as shared knowledge, offer fields the tools needed to investigate problems and understand the process by which they are studied. Thus, if LIS wants to increase its research capacity and improve its research quality, then it will need to require research methods of all students. While the range of topics covered in Korean research methods courses may need to be expanded, those in the United States may need greater depth of coverage.     

2005～2010年图书情报教育改革国际研究综述

围绕LIS教育所处的环境、面临的挑战及应对思路,对2005年以来国际图情教育改革的研究成果进行总结,发现近几年来该领域的研究主题主要集中在以下几个方面:iSchool及其评价、LIS教育模式及其变革、LIS课程体系建设、LIS教学方法的研究及各国LIS教育进展和国际合作的研究。研究者多由LIS领域的教学科研人员组成;观察、问卷调查和网络调查、访谈等实证方法广为应用;新的理论和研究工具被引入该领域的研究,开辟了新的研究思路。2005至2010年间,LIS教育领域的研究成果数量众多,国内外研究人员在很多问题的基本观点上表现出一定的共性。     

Information ethics in Pakistani librarianship: The role of online mailing groups

This study examines the practice of information ethics of the members of the mailing group of the Pakistan Library Automation Group, called PAKLAGPK who participate frequently in the discussions on a variety of LIS ethical issues. The research uses both qualitative and quantitative methods, including a survey questionnaire to measure subscribers' prior knowledge about certain issues in Information Ethics (IE). The research also uses the content analysis method to investigate the information communication behavior of the subscribers over this mailing group.     

图书情报学(LIS)领域的循证科学研究进展

[目的/意义]从文献内容角度了解图书情报学（LIS）领域对循证科学的研究进展,重点分析主要的研究主题及近年研究方向,同时进行国际与国内的对比。[方法/过程]从Web of Science核心合集、CNKI和万方数据库的核心期刊中检索LIS领域关于循证科学的研究。使用内容分析法,从年发文量、所属学科领域对目标文献集进行统计分析,并重点从学科交叉研究、LIS学科职能及其研究对象两种视角分析其研究主题及近5年的研究主题,同时进行国际与国内对比。[结果/结论]LIS领域的循证科学研究涉及医学、护理及卫生保健、政策科学、信息系统、教育学等多个学科领域;最终将LIS领域关于循证科学的主要研究主题总结为10类,其中"图情机构服务及图书馆员的专业发展"和"证据来源及获取方法、技术"为核心主题;无论是从涉及的学科领域及主题的广度还是对各主题研究的深度而言,国内均相对较弱。     

Fusing research into practice: The role of research methods education

A survey was conducted among library and information science (LIS) practitioners to examine the effect of the research methods course on LIS practitioners' work. Findings suggest the research methods course is a valuable component of the master's in library and information science (MLIS) program. Taking the research methods course increases LIS practitioners' research interest and assists them by helping them critically evaluate published literature and apply it at work, provide better assistance to library patrons, produce valid and reliable data to facilitate decision making, identify problems at work and design and implement studies to solve them, and write grants and for publication. Suggestions are made to improve the research methods curriculum and enhance the educational experience for LIS practitioners.     

【已撤销】混合方法研究在图书情报学中的应用

混合方法研究是为提高研究质量而在同一研究中融合定性和定量两种方法的研究类别,它在图书情报学中的应用,目前国内还没有相关的文献报道,国外这方面的报道也不是很多。为弄清该方法在图书情报学中的应用情况,笔者对四种国际上有代表性的图书情报学类期刊上发表的465篇学术论文进行分析统计,结果显示只有22篇论文（5%）使用混合方法研究。混合方法研究所表现出来的种种优势表明它的使用将对图书情报学研究大有帮助。