Each graduate of the Master of Library and Information Science program is able to demonstrate an understanding of quantitative and qualitative research methods, the ability to design a research project, and the ability to evaluate and synthesize research literature.
Research is an important aspect of work in the Information Sciences field. It is important to contribute to the production of knowledge so that new emerging trends and issues are brought to the attention of information professionals. Research allows us to narrow gaps in information and allows us to challenge old ways of thinking. It opens up the conversation about a topic, theory or study and provides a space for others to discuss and comment on their observations. It is vital for information professionals to understand the process of conducting research because it is important to contribute information to our field. It is also necessary to understand the research process so that we can better assist researchers with their research and project needs.
Quantitative and Qualitative Research
Depending on the type of research, researchers and investigators collect different types of information to support their research. Researchers need to support their arguments with valued information that connects their research to the production of new knowledge in their field. Researchers employ a number of strategies and methods to conduct and support their research. Quantitative research is one type of method that collects and measures data that allows researchers to create information that supports their arguments. According to Connaway (2010), quantitative research is a “problem-solving approach…that relies on the quantification of concepts…for the purposes of measurement and evaluation (pg.2).” Quantitative research uses methods of measurement that employ both numerical and conceptual values, such as statistics, experiments, and surveys. These methods help extract information so that researchers will interpret and evaluate the data to make connections with their concepts, theories, and arguments that will help support the research they are testing. The Quantitative research approach is also associated with the scientific method because it often requires a similar step by step process in data collection, evaluation, and analysis. For example, similar steps in Quantitative research and the Scientific Method include:
-Observation
-Formation of Theory/Hypotheses
-Testing theory/ hypothesis with variables
-Gathering data
-Analysis and evaluation of results.
(Quantitative research & Scientific method)
These type of approaches are well suited for research that incorporates experimental design as part of one’s research and data collection. Experimental design is one way of collecting data based on observations created in a controlled environment with controlled variables and measures. These controls help produce results that are free from outside influences that would skew results and effect analysis. Not all variables and environmental conditions can be controlled, but experimental design helps maximize the validity and reliability of the experiment and research.
Although the scientific method sets the groundwork for a lot of research, other methods of research help researchers collect data that is based on other approaches that are subjective. Connaway (2010) describe qualitative research as a “focus on observing events from the perspective of those involved an attempt to understand why individuals behave the way they do (pg.2).” For example, historical research is one area that involves looking at the perspectives of others to connect information to explain behaviors and ideas from a different time period. Methods of research include observing, evaluating and analyzing visual, verbal and written text to extract the information needed to include in one’s research. This also includes looking for patterns and themes to help explain information (Quantitative research). Some examples of techniques used to gather data include interviews and questionnaires but it is open for researchers to use other creative methods. While quantitative research involves procedures and rules qualitative research allows for researchers to be more creative in designing research and gathering data (Creswell, 2003 p. 23).
Some researchers use both quantitative and qualitative research methods, in a “mixed methods” approach (Connaway, 2010, p.5). This method allows researchers to provide a deep analysis using statistics and other types of information that creates stronger support for one’s research. Within the Library and Information Sciences field, 26% use both qualitative and quantitative methods while 12.2 % of non-librarianship fields used both (Connaway, 2010 p. 4). This suggests that within the LIS field, researchers are more open to various approaches of information gathering and, as a result, we are also more likely to implement creative strategies and techniques throughout our research.
Evaluation and synthesis of research literature
Researchers need to sort through a great deal of information and resources to support their observations, theories or arguments. This involves evaluating available literature to look for gaps and potential for future research. Evaluating other research we come across is important because we want to check for bias, reliability, and content. Researchers typically want to find information that is the most accurate or that comes straight from the source. Typically researchers want to find primary resources because this is information straight from the source itself and is usually the most reliable. Primary resources consist of objects and information created during an experience and time. Secondary resources are also resources that researchers come across but are second-hand accounts of information that although still relevant for researchers, the chances for inaccuracies to occur is greater. Examples include biographies, textbooks, and articles. These resources are second-hand accounts from the perspectives of the author, therefore they need to be looked at critically when conducting research. Evaluating is a necessary skill for researchers to guide them in finding resources that are accurate and fall in line with the concepts and messages they are trying to convey.
Designing a Research project
Designing a research project involves a great deal of planning and resources, therefore a researcher needs a well thought out plan and proposal. There are several reasons why a researcher would need to design a research project. One reason is to anticipate costs and plan a budget for conducting research. Costs include time, traveling, resources, materials, and compensation for those involved. One important reason to plan is to secure funds or grants to help pay for foreseen expenses, so a well thought out research plan and design will gain support and foster confidence from others in supplying funds. Another reason to design a research plan is to anticipate possible limitations in the project that will impact research. As mentioned above a research project can include mixed methods, so designing a project allows the researcher to incorporate different types of information to support their arguments. Designing a research project is an important part of organizing a strategy to help with time management, resource allocation, and focus. Information professionals need to be aware of how to design a project so that they can help design projects for organizations they work with and to help guide users who are interested in designing projects themselves.
Competency Development:
Throughout my academic career, I have learned how to conduct research for various disciplines. As an SJSU student in the MLIS program my research skills, strategies, and techniques have improved with the various courses that I participated in. My searching and gathering methods have improved with the aid of various courses, such as Libr 202, Information retrieval and Online Searching. These courses help improve my searching skills when using information retrieval systems such as catalogs, databases, and search engines. Through other courses, I have also learned how to consult different types of resources that I didn’t consider before or seldom used. In LIBR 256, Archives and manuscripts, I learned about the value of an archive for researchers looking for primary resources. I also learned how to utilize finding aids to help me sort through collections and find materials relevant to my research. In LIBR 284, Managing Photographic Collections, I learned how visual materials are important resources to help supplement research.
Other courses allowed me to learn how to conduct my own research while learning how to design a project and present for a potential audience. For example, Libr 285, History research methods, played an important role in enriching and improving my research skills. This course was instrumental in learning how to design research projects. From the inception of a topic to the final project, this course taught me how to conduct professional research for a journal, book or organization. It deepened my understanding of various research fundamentals and procedures through course readings and discussions about important issues and topics concerning research. In this course, I learned how to judge information and resources and evaluate its source, perspective, author and contents for possible bias and validity that would affect my research. I learned about resources that could help fund my research through grants and how to create project proposals to plan and explain the importance of my research. This assignment allowed me to implement the necessary skills and resources that I need to produce professional research for clients and organizations in my field.
LIBR 285, Annotated Bibliography
In LIBR 285, research methods, we discussed the importance of evaluating resources when conducting research. When searching for information it is important to consider the source of the information we are using because it adds validity to our arguments. Another reason to evaluate research is so that we can discover gaps in information and find ways to fill those gaps so that we contribute information that helps others understand the information more accurately. In this course, one of our assignments asked us to look at articles from scholarly resources so that we could evaluate them for an annotated bibliography. This assignment helped me understand how to search for research from a different perspective beyond just reading and accepting the information presented. In this assignment, I looked at the author’s motivations for writing these article and their affiliations. I then looked at the content and judged how their unique perspective affected their research and conclusions about the topic. This allowed me the opportunity to really search for bias and gaps in information to form my own conclusions about how to use this research to expand the current literature on a topic. This is an important skill to practice because we want to make sure we are using information that is valued. This assignment is an important exercise in resource evaluation that I can use for future research. This assignment allowed me to not just accept information right off the bat but to think critically about it while taking the author’s motivations into consideration. Evaluating research is an important method for finding relevant and reliable resources to help further one’s research. It is also an important method to help teach patrons about the reliability of information and resources they find because not everything that is available is accurate and from a neutral perspective. Therefore looking at resources from a critical perspective is an important research skill to implement as an information professional who comes in contact with information in vast amounts. Cultivating these skills are an important way to improve my development as an information professional so that I will help users navigate through the informational landscape.
LIBR 285, Project Proposal
Another assignment from Libr 285, Research Methods, allowed me to conduct my own research and present my project ideas with my class. For this assignment, I created a research proposal based on a topic that intrigued me and that would allow me to venture further throughout the course of my research. For this research project, my focus was on women with tattoos and the effects of colonization. In my project proposal, I conducted a literature review examining available research related to my topic. The purpose of a literature review is to explain how one’s research relates to the current information available. It also allows the researcher the opportunity to discover gaps in the current literature and discuss the importance of their research. The research proposal also included a research plan that outlined the stages and timeline of my research. I also discussed my travel and budget plans to supplement my plan to paint a clear picture of time and cost. Some visual materials in my research require special trips to the “Tattoo Archive” that holds a unique collection of photographs and books not available elsewhere. A timeline and budget plan are information that is a necessary component for research that needs funds from outside sources. Therefore, it is important to explain how the research will be conducted and why it is important to continue. This research assignment gave me the opportunity to create research to help fill gaps and contribute new information. In this assignment, I learned how to create a project proposal that will help support prospective research endeavors in my career. As an information professional, supporting and participating in research contributes to the global informational landscape. This assignment encourages me to expand on this research later in my career to produce research for publication and educational purposes.
LIBR 284, Research Paper
In Libr 284, Managing Photographic collections, I learned about the value of using visual materials, such as photographs, as research resources. A lot of insight can be gained from understanding the content and context of photographs. Studying the format and the technology used to create these type of materials is also important in understanding another layer of information that can add more context to the materials we are studying. In Managing Photographic Collections, I researched and wrote an essay about hand-colored photographs. This essay allowed me to implement the research skills and strategies that I learned about and picked up throughout my studies at San Jose State University. For example, searching for specific information about hand-colored photographs required that I search through general topics and materials in order to come across some information I was looking for. My searching strategies also included scoping bibliographies for resources that were relevant to my topic and evaluating them further. Using various resources such as books, web pages, and photographs was an important part of my research because my topic was very specific. My topic included the evaluation and synthesize both textual and visual materials because it focused on the study of visual materials and its history. Looking for both primary and secondary resources was also important to my research because it expanded my limited amount of resources and provided more context with the information that was collected from my research. In my essay, I was able to build a clearer picture of the history, processes, and techniques used in the creation of hand-colored photographs. Experiencing the research process is an important way to improve one’s research skills. This assignment allowed me to build upon previous research strategies and skills and implement them in this essay. This assignment allowed me the opportunity to participate in the research process so that I can produce research in the future and help guide others in the research process. As a result, the research produced from this assignment will support other research endeavors related to this topic and help expand the current literature.
Conclusion:
Researching is an important process that allows individuals to collect, organize and present information to help contribute to the general pool of knowledge. Research is important because it allows users to discover new information that they typically wouldn’t come across through everyday media resources. As an information professional, we understand that research is another method in making information accessible from resources that aren’t easily accessible. For example, information from an archive collection is not serving anyone if not many people know about it. Therefore gathering, synthesizing and publishing it, allows this information to become available to a wider audience then hidden within the depths of an archive. Research takes passion and commitment and one can see it through the careful analysis of results and the information produced. Therefore evaluating, synthesizing and producing research are important components of my career as an information professional that will help me find and create information for users to access. It is not always possible to conduct research due to various barriers. As a result, information professionals need to encourage one another as well as patrons to engage or participate in research. Together we can work in providing resources and information to help create avenues for the production of information and groundbreaking research.
Resources
Connaway, L. S., & Powell, R. R. (2010). Basic research methods for librarians (5th ed.). Retrieved from http://reader.eblib.com.libaccess.sjlibrary.org/%28S%28vzfrkiwljt1nynzwkmoykxsu%29%29/Reader.aspx?p=617137&o=246&u=S5nkW501TFJxgRKkvisOEA%3d%3d&t=1414103942&h=300DED72991F2E66488735ACC21B359B5
Creswell, J. W. (2013). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches.
Quantitative research. (n.d.). Retrieved November 12, 2015, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quantitative_research
Scientific method. (n.d.). Retrieved November 12, 2015, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientific_method
Assignments
LIBR_285_-ANNOTATED_BIBLIOGRAPHY