Competency L
Understand the nature of research, research methods and research findings; retrieve, evaluate, and synthesize scholarly and professional literature for informed decision-making by specific client groups
Introduction
Not only do librarians promote research, they must also contribute to, and participate in, research. In LIBR 200 Information and Society, LIBR 285 The Evaluation of Library Programs and Services and in LIBR 282 Library Leadership, I discovered how research can improve library practice, how valuable literature review/research can be, and how research methods can be applied in libraries to improve decision making and the delivery of services to users. In order for a library to establish and nurture an organizational mission the librarians and information professionals must have a concrete understanding of research and how it is essential for an organization’s success.
Nature of Research
Evaluating
Evaluating is the assessment of goodness, comparing the organization's current performance or state against some standard or benchmark. Libraries evaluate programs, services, websites and staff as an essential step in gathering information to be used in a process of improvement. The evaluation process has two parts 1) the collection of information and 2) the comparison of this information to some set of criteria. In most cases evaluation is concerned with service-derived questions: quality, cost or effectiveness of a program or service. It compares the "what is" to the "what should or could be." Any evaluation should start with a clear understanding of the needs of those served by the library. Who decides the "goodness”?. There are three groups of stakeholders involved in the evaluation process; 1) Library-Centric ( internal perspective) 2) Customer-Centric (external perspective) and 3) Combination Views (combination of the two). Evaluation data provides the basis of evidence based or data based change. It is said “Without data you are just another person with an opinion.” Libraries must collect data and use it as part of a continuous improvement process.
Research Methods
There are two broad methodologies that can be used to gather data about library service: 1) Quantitative and 2) Qualitative.
Quantitative tools define "what” or "what and how many”, while Qualitative methods define the "why". Quantitative methods gather data using a variety of techniques, such as statistics, that can be subject to analysis. Counting, measuring, surveys, transaction log analysis and experiments are all data sources that can contribute data for quantitative analysis. Qualitative methods provide data from insight or a case study. Insight refers to the process of a researcher collecting data from observations, in-depth interviews and focus groups and looking for connections and patterns. From those connections and patterns “findings, conclusions, and recommendations” are made that assist organizations in making data based decisions. Qualitative methods are seeking to document complexities of what is experienced. Information researchers have been using qualitative methods to better understand information seeking and information retrieval.
Research Findings/ Literature reviews
One of the most important data gathering techniques that a librarian can use is a literature review. Conducting a literature search will help the library to better shape an evaluation study and ultimately improve the results of an improvement project. It is very important to find systematic reviews of research articles that have been written and summarized in the area that you are evaluating. Systematic reviews are written by two or more authors using explicit methods to identify, select and appraise relevant research, that identify "best practices" from the field. The articles will summarize a number of prior studies that meet specific criteria for inclusion in the analysis. Evidence-based librarianship provides a method for categorizing the various research and evaluation studies reported in the literature, in order to make research based decisions.
Experience
In LIBR 246 I conducted a literature search on social software and its impact on medical education, Social Impact Paper. In my current position I am always looking for ways to use this type of technology to educate our users in new and more efficient ways to use library and online resources. I did systematic and evidence based literature reviews to write this assignment. My second piece of evidence is from LIBR 282, Library Leadership. We took an in depth look at historical and current leadership theories, analyzed and applied the principles, and created a leadership developmental plan for ourselves. I chose to share the literature synthesis paper I wrote for the concept of management vs. leadership. I researched books, articles and electronic resources to gather information on what makes a manager, what makes a leader, and the differences and similarities between them. This course really expanded my perception on what leadership is, how to develop skills to become a more successful leader, and what you need in your professional toolbox to be a collaborative, influential, and mentoring leader.
Conclusion
The process of doing research; defining problems, doing a literature review, knowing which research methods to use, how to collect and analyze data, how to make “findings, conclusions, and recommendations” and how to apply research findings, must be understood by librarians and other users of research. In addition it is important that librarians know how to identify valid research, synthesize research findings and sources, and communicate research findings.
Not only do librarians promote research, they must also contribute to, and participate in, research. In LIBR 200 Information and Society, LIBR 285 The Evaluation of Library Programs and Services and in LIBR 282 Library Leadership, I discovered how research can improve library practice, how valuable literature review/research can be, and how research methods can be applied in libraries to improve decision making and the delivery of services to users. In order for a library to establish and nurture an organizational mission the librarians and information professionals must have a concrete understanding of research and how it is essential for an organization’s success.
Nature of Research
Evaluating
Evaluating is the assessment of goodness, comparing the organization's current performance or state against some standard or benchmark. Libraries evaluate programs, services, websites and staff as an essential step in gathering information to be used in a process of improvement. The evaluation process has two parts 1) the collection of information and 2) the comparison of this information to some set of criteria. In most cases evaluation is concerned with service-derived questions: quality, cost or effectiveness of a program or service. It compares the "what is" to the "what should or could be." Any evaluation should start with a clear understanding of the needs of those served by the library. Who decides the "goodness”?. There are three groups of stakeholders involved in the evaluation process; 1) Library-Centric ( internal perspective) 2) Customer-Centric (external perspective) and 3) Combination Views (combination of the two). Evaluation data provides the basis of evidence based or data based change. It is said “Without data you are just another person with an opinion.” Libraries must collect data and use it as part of a continuous improvement process.
Research Methods
There are two broad methodologies that can be used to gather data about library service: 1) Quantitative and 2) Qualitative.
Quantitative tools define "what” or "what and how many”, while Qualitative methods define the "why". Quantitative methods gather data using a variety of techniques, such as statistics, that can be subject to analysis. Counting, measuring, surveys, transaction log analysis and experiments are all data sources that can contribute data for quantitative analysis. Qualitative methods provide data from insight or a case study. Insight refers to the process of a researcher collecting data from observations, in-depth interviews and focus groups and looking for connections and patterns. From those connections and patterns “findings, conclusions, and recommendations” are made that assist organizations in making data based decisions. Qualitative methods are seeking to document complexities of what is experienced. Information researchers have been using qualitative methods to better understand information seeking and information retrieval.
Research Findings/ Literature reviews
One of the most important data gathering techniques that a librarian can use is a literature review. Conducting a literature search will help the library to better shape an evaluation study and ultimately improve the results of an improvement project. It is very important to find systematic reviews of research articles that have been written and summarized in the area that you are evaluating. Systematic reviews are written by two or more authors using explicit methods to identify, select and appraise relevant research, that identify "best practices" from the field. The articles will summarize a number of prior studies that meet specific criteria for inclusion in the analysis. Evidence-based librarianship provides a method for categorizing the various research and evaluation studies reported in the literature, in order to make research based decisions.
Experience
In LIBR 246 I conducted a literature search on social software and its impact on medical education, Social Impact Paper. In my current position I am always looking for ways to use this type of technology to educate our users in new and more efficient ways to use library and online resources. I did systematic and evidence based literature reviews to write this assignment. My second piece of evidence is from LIBR 282, Library Leadership. We took an in depth look at historical and current leadership theories, analyzed and applied the principles, and created a leadership developmental plan for ourselves. I chose to share the literature synthesis paper I wrote for the concept of management vs. leadership. I researched books, articles and electronic resources to gather information on what makes a manager, what makes a leader, and the differences and similarities between them. This course really expanded my perception on what leadership is, how to develop skills to become a more successful leader, and what you need in your professional toolbox to be a collaborative, influential, and mentoring leader.
Conclusion
The process of doing research; defining problems, doing a literature review, knowing which research methods to use, how to collect and analyze data, how to make “findings, conclusions, and recommendations” and how to apply research findings, must be understood by librarians and other users of research. In addition it is important that librarians know how to identify valid research, synthesize research findings and sources, and communicate research findings.
Evidence Summary and Artifacts
#1 LIBR 246: Social Impact Literature Review Paper
social_impact_paper.docx | |
File Size: | 216 kb |
File Type: | docx |
#2 LIBR 282: Leadership vs. Management Literature Review Synthesis
leadership_vs_management_literature_synthesis_paper_1.docx | |
File Size: | 339 kb |
File Type: | docx |
References
Haycock, K., & Sheldon, B. (2008). The Portable MLIS. Westport: Libraries Unlimited.
Mathews, J. (2007). The Evaluation and Measurement of Library Services. Westport, CT: Libraries Unlimited.
Mathews, J. (2007). The Evaluation and Measurement of Library Services. Westport, CT: Libraries Unlimited.