About the Book

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

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