Research Methods in Library and Information Science

The seventh edition of this frequently adopted textbook features new or expanded sections on social justice research, data analysis software, scholarly identity research, social networking, data science, and data visualization, among other topics. It continues to include discipline experts' voices. The revised seventh edition of this popular text provides instruction and guidance for professionals and students in library and information science who want to conduct research and publish findings, as well as for practicing professionals who want a broad overview of the current literature. Providing a broad introduction to research design, the authors include principles, data collection techniques, and analyses of quantitative and qualitative methods, as well as advantages and limitations of each method and updated bibliographies. Chapters cover the scientific method, sampling, validity, reliability, and ethical concerns along with quantitative and qualitative methods. LIS students and professionals will consult this text not only for instruction on conducting research but also for guidance in critically reading and evaluating research publications, proposals, and reports. As in the previous edition, discipline experts provide advice, tips, and strategies for completing research projects, dissertations, and theses; writing grants; overcoming writer's block; collaborating with colleagues; and working with outside consultants. Journal and book editors discuss how to publish and identify best practices and understudied topics, as well as what they look for in submissions.

Table of Contents:
Illustrations Text Boxes Preface 1—Research and Librarianship Introduction Definition of Research The Assessment Imperative Scholarly Communication Research Data Management and Reuse New Modes for Collaboration Time Management Overview of Previous Library and Information Science Research Current Library and Information Science Research Environment Research Methods in Library and Information Science Recommendations for Future Research in Library and Information Science Summary References 2—Developing the Research Study Planning for Research: Getting Started Philosophical Underpinnings and Assumptions Paradigms That Shape Research Development A General Outline for Research Literature Review of Related Research Identification of the Problem Characteristics of a Problem Suitable for Research Statement of the Problem Identifying Subproblems The Role of Theory in the Design of Research Definition of Theory Research Design Differences in Quantitative and Qualitative Design Mixed Methods Testing or Applying the Theory The Pilot Study Summary References 3—Writing the Research Proposal Organization and Content of a Typical Proposal Title Page Abstract Table of Contents Introduction and Statement of the Problem The Literature Review of Related Research Research Design Institutional Resources Personnel Budget Anticipated Results Indicators of Success Diversity Plan Limitations of the Study Back Matter The Dissertation Proposal: Further Guidance Characteristics of a Good Proposal Features That Detract from a Proposal Obtaining Funding for Library and Information Science Research Summary References 4—Principles of Quantitative Methods Formulating Hypotheses Definitions of Hypothesis 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 Ethics of Research General Guidelines Guidelines for Library and Information Science Professionals Ethics for Research in the Digital Environment Research Misconduct Summary References 5—Survey Research and the Questionnaire Survey Research Major Differences between Survey Research and Other Methods Types of Survey Research Exploratory Survey Research Descriptive Survey Research Other Types of Survey Research Basic Purposes of Descriptive Survey Research Basic Steps of Survey Research: An Overview Survey Research Designs Survey Research Costs The Questionnaire Prequestionnaire 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 Email or Letter with Introductory Information Distribution of the Questionnaire Summary References 6—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 Summary References 7—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 Quasi-Experimental Designs Ex Post Facto Designs Internet-Based Experiments Summary References 8—Analysis of Quantitative Data Statistical Analysis Data Mining Log Analysis Data Science Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence Bibliometrics 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 Visualization and Display of Quantitative Data Summary References 9—Principles of Qualitative Methods Introduction to Qualitative Methods Strengths of a Qualitative Approach Role of the Researcher The Underlying Assumptions of Naturalistic Work Ethical Concerns Informed Consent Deception Confidentiality and Anonymity Data-Gathering Techniques Research Design Establishing Goals Developing the Conceptual Framework Developing Research Questions Research Questions for Focus Group and Individual Interviews in the Public Library Context Research Questions for Mixed-Methods Study with Focus Group and Individual Interviews in the Academic Library Context Research Questions for Focus Group and Individual Interviews in a High School Context Research Questions for a Mixed-Methods Grant Project Using Transcript Analysis, Individual Interviews, and Design Sessions in the Consortial Live Chat Virtual Reference Context Research Questions for a Mixed-Methods Study Using a Questionnaire and Individual Interviews Investigating Chat Virtual Reference in the Time of COVID-19 Research Design in Online Environments New Modes for Online Data Collection Summary References 10—Analysis of Qualitative Data Data Analysis Tools and Methods Stages in Data Analysis Preparing and Processing Data for Analysis Computer-Assisted Qualitative Data Analysis Software (CAQDAS) Deciding Whether to Use Qualitative Software Strategies for Data Analysis Grounded Theory Content Analysis The Constant Comparative Method and Coding Data Theme Analysis Cyber Synergy Grant, Online Survey Magic Wand Question: Example of Coding Scheme Discourse Analysis Critical Approaches Conversation Analysis Ensuring Integrity and Quality Primary Techniques for Ensuring Integrity and Avoiding Analytic Bias Intercoder Reliability and Validity Visualization and Display of Qualitative Data Conclusion: More to Learn on Data Analysis and Coding Summary References 11—Individual and Focus Group Interviews Conducting the Individual Interview Telephone Individual Interviews Online/Virtual Individual Interviews Advantages of Individual Interviews Limitations of the Individual Interview Focus Group Interviews Online/Virtual Video-Based Focus Groups Analysis and Reporting of the Focus Group Interview Data Advantages of Focus Group Interviews Limitations of Focus Group Interviews Summary References 12—Ethnographic Approaches to Qualitative Research Ethnographic Research Digital Ethnography Diaries Advantages of Diaries Limitations of Diaries Mapping Observation Advantages of Observational Research Limitations of Observational Research Unstructured Observation Structured Observation Case Studies User Experience and Usability Testing Design Thinking and Participatory Design Analysis of Ethnographic Data Advantages of Ethnographic Approaches Limitations of Ethnographic Approaches Summary References 13—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 References 14—Applied and Community-Based Research Evaluative Research and Assessment Action Research Innovation Research Evidence-Based Research Community-Based and Participatory Research Social Justice Research Decolonizing Methodologies Policy Research International and Comparative Librarianship Delphi Study Summary References 15—Presentation and Dissemination of the Research Project General Objectives of the Research Report General Outline of the Research Report The Preliminaries/Front Matter The Text The Back Matter Guidelines for Organizing and Presenting the Research Report Organization of the Report Dissemination of the Research Evaluating the Research Report Suggested Criteria for Judging a Research Report Publishing Research Results Collaboration Summary References Author Index Subject Index