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ILS 580

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.

Prerequisite Requirements

24 credits in information and library science or permission from the instructor.

 

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.

 

COURSE OUTLINE

    I.  Research and Librarianship
   II.  Fundamentals of Research
  III. Basic Methods of Research
   IV. Ethics of Research
    V. The Research Proposal
   VI. Analyzing Data
  VII. The Research Report
VIII. Evaluating Research/Writing


COURSE REQUIREMENTS

  • Each student will development a special project proposal that will meet the Graduate School Guidelines for the Special Project capstone experience (a public service special project involving field work, intervention planning and development, and/or policy development that are informed by the student's original research; an educational special projectmultimedia special project consisting of development of curriculum, learner-based exercises, or computer software or other tools of a specifically educational purpose that are informed by the student's original research; a involving the creation of an installation or digital exhibit on a specific topic within the discipline, or a film or video that documents an experience, social phenomenon, or inquiry that is relevant to the field that are informed by the student's original research; an entrepreneurial special project involving idea generation, feasibility study, and development and implementation that are informed by the student's original 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.
  • Each student will submit, for preliminary review, a developed and up-to-date framework (in terms of professional competencies and coursework completed so far in the MLS program) for a Web-based capstone portfolio.

SUGGESTED TEXTS / TEXTS USED IN THE PAST

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

Durrance, J. C., & Fisher, K. E. with Hinton, M. B. (2004). How libraries and librarians help: A guide to identifying user-centered outcomes. Chicago: ALA. ISBN: 0-8389-0892-6

Green, Samuel B., & Salkind, Neil J. (2008). Using SPSS for Windows and Macintosh: Analyzing and Understanding Data (5th ed). Prentice Hall, ISBN-10: 0131890255, or ISBN-13: 9780131890251

Hoover, Kennethm & Donovan, Todd. (2008). The elements of social scientific thinking (9th ed.). Boston, MA: Thomson/Wadsworth.

Johannsen, C. G., & Kajberg, L. (Eds.). (2005). New Frontiers in Public Library Research (Lanham, MD: Scarecrow Press). ISBN: 0-8108-5039-7

Katzer, Jeffrey, et al. (1998). Evaluating information: A guide for users of social science research (4th ed). Boston, MA: McGraw Hill.

Leedy, Paul D., & Ormrod, Jeanne Ellis. (2005). Practical Research: Planning and Design (8th ed.). Prentice Hall. ISBN 0131108956

Miller, Barbara V (2001).. Excel interactive tutorials for statistics. John Wiley & Sons. ISBN 047140828-X.

Pan, M. Ling. (2008). Preparing literature reviews: Qualitative and quantitative approaches (3rd ed.). Glendale CA: Pyrczak Publishing. [ISBN 1-884585-76-0]

Powell, Ronald R., & Connaway, Lynn Silipigni . (2004). Basic research methods for librarians (4th ed.) Greenwich, CT: Ablex. ISBN: 1-56750-338-1.

Wallace, Danny P., & Van Fleet, Connie (Eds.). (2001). Library evaluation: A casebook and can-do guide. Englewood, CO: Libraries Unlimited. ISBN 1-56308-862-2.

SUGGESTED JOURNALS

  • Canadian Journal of Information and Library Science
  • College & Research Libraries
  • Information Processing and Management
  • Journal of Education for Library and Information Science
  • Library and Information Science Research
  • Library Collections, Acquisitions & Technical Services [published under Library Acquisitions: Practice & Theory through 1998]
  • Library Quarterly
  • Library Trends
  • Reference & User Services Quarterly
  • Technical Services Quarterly

 

 

Approved by the ILS Department Curriculum Committee and Faculty, Spring 2009.