Research in Information and Library Science

COURSE DESCRIPTION:  Fundamentals of quantitative and qualitative research methods will be studied. Central research findings and research literature of the field are considered. Each student prepares a Special Project proposal to meet the Graduate School and MLS requirements.

Textbooks: 
Publication manual of the American Psychological Society (latest edition). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

Wildemuth, B.M. (2009). Applications of Social Research Methods to Questions in Information and Library Science. Westport, CT: Libraries Unlimited.

COURSE OBJECTIVES/STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

Upon successful completion of this course students will be able to:

• Explain the importance of research in the creation of new knowledge.
• Explain and demonstrate the components of the research cycle.
• Define research problems and scientific research procedures in general.
• Describe the philosophical concepts and methodologies involved in library and information studies.
• Describe the role of research in library and information services.
• Analyze and critically evaluate existing research.
• Assess the actual and potential value of new research.
• Describe a variety of research methods and approaches.
• Identify an area of study and plan for conducting empirical research and analyzing collected data.
• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of ethical issues of research including human participant research.

The special project proposal must contain the following elements:

1. Introduction and overview - A brief introduction and overview of the special project. Identifies the gap or need to be addressed among the intended audience.
2. Host Agency - If relevant, the role to be played by the host agency in the special project, as well as description of the agency and preceptor.
3. Significance and Relevance - Justifies the importance of the special project to the author's program of study and discipline. 
4. Review of Literature - a critical, analytical summary and synthesis of the current knowledge of a topic. It should compare and relate different theories, findings, etc, rather than just summarize them individually. 
5. Research Methods or Plans for Conducting the Project - Includes goals and objectives, timeline, resources needed, and assessment plan.
6. Ethics Governing the Project - Describes a commitment to adherence to general ethical standards of research, including applicable codes of professional ethics.
7. Author's Qualifications - Establishes the author's credentials and capacity (knowledge, skills and access to resources) to complete the special project.
8. Human Subjects (IRB) Protection - Includes approval letter from appropriate ethics board, if applicable.
9. References - Those sources cited within the proposal. References must use APA format. 
10. Appendices - Includes all required supportive documentation. 

Course objectives were fulfilled by reading assignments, weekly quizzes on APA and Wildemuth and completion of the special project proposal.  My special project was a user survey from GML scholars designed to capture a portrait of a genealogy researcher plus their use of the online portal designed by GML.  The complete research project inclusive of the proposal can be found below:

Final Project