Basic Research Methods for Librarians 5th Edition

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

This thoroughly updated introduction covers the major issues involved in designing and conducting original research relevant to the fields of library and information science.

Fifty-nine percent of the respondents to a 2000 survey reported that their master's programs had not adequately prepared them to conduct research, something that has not changed much in the ensuing decade. Yet, many library and information services (LIS) practitioners are routinely called upon to conducted job-related research. Where can they turn for the guidance they need?

• Addresses the role of research in librarianship with supporting examples and discussions of studies within the library and information science field

• Outlines the major steps in the development of a research study

• Provides a broad spectrum of research methodologies, such as survey, experimental, qualitative, and historical

• Includes detailed explanations of the guidelines for writing research proposals and research reports for publication and oral presentation