Full title
The value of a doctoral education in academic librarianship: The perceptions of PhD librarians
Overview
SUMMARY: This qualitative study aims to identify the value of PhD-cultivated competencies and interests in academic librarianship and to understand how academic libraries support or restrict these competencies and interests.
PARTICIPANTS: Participants will be academic librarians holding a PhD degree in any field plus a Master’s degree in Information and Library Science. Additionally, they will be currently employed in the US or Canada.
DATA COLLECTION: There are two parts to data collection:
- First, a qualitative online survey will collect open-ended written responses on the perceptions of the value of a doctoral education in academic librarianship.
- Afterwards, follow-up interviews with select participants will be conducted as in-person or telephone interviews. With the participant’s permission, these conversations will be audio-recorded.
ANALYSIS: All survey responses will be copied to word processing documents and all audio recordings will be transcribed. Open and
in vivo qualitative coding will be used to identify themes.
CONFIDENTIALITY: All documents and transcripts used for analysis will be de-identified. Responses will be identified by participant number and identifying details will be anonymized. This includes affiliated institution, position title, and personal names.
Any electronic file with identifying details will be stored in a password-protected network or computer that only researchers will have access to. Any paper documents with identifying details will be stored in a locked room.
Publications will not include any identifiable details other than generic descriptors (e.g., science librarian in a public Midwestern university). De-identified coded data and transcripts will be stored in a public repository for perpetual access by other researchers with limited copyright restrictions.
All research materials with identifying details will be kept until no longer scientifically valuable at which time they will be destroyed.