PhD Library and 

Information Science

 

PhD Library and Information Science

The Library and Information Science Program (LIS) is part of the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies at FIX University. The Program seeks highly qualified applicants with Master's degrees for admission to its Program. 

FIX University began offering a PhD in library and information science in 2012 The Program is in good standing in regular appraisals by the Ontario Council on Graduate Studies. The Program is designed to offer students a great degree of flexibility to take advantage of a wide range of research expertise organized in two very broad and dynamic Areas of Specialization. 

Areas of Specialization

There are two broad areas of research and teaching specialization in the doctoral program in LIS:

These broad, dynamic areas reflect current research and teaching specializations of faculty members in the doctoral program in library and information science. The detailed lists of topics in each broad area are updated as research and teaching activities change over time.

 

Research Clusters

The two broad areas of specialization in the LIS doctoral program as noted above provide a general description of the diverse research activities undertaken by faculty within the program. However, in some cases, faculty members who work within common areas of interest may wish to collaborate on a specific topic or set of topics. Accordingly, LIS Research Clusters are a mechanism for indicating areas of research commonality and associated activities for various LIS faculty and doctoral students.

Current clusters:

Only two of six courses are required and students may elect one or two relevant one-term courses from other Western graduate programs. A student’s comprehensive examinations following the completion of course work are based upon an individualized reading list determined in consultation with the student by the student’s examination committee members.

The production of the student’s dissertation is supervised by an Advisory Committee consisting of a Chief Supervisor, who must be approved as a supervisor in LIS by the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies. One Assistant Advisor may be any faculty member of the University, or, with the permission of the Dean of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, from outside the University.

The combination of a wide range of research expertise, few course requirements, student consultation on reading lists for comprehensive examinations, and wide scope in the selection of the Advisory Committee ensures each student great flexibility and independence in their pursuit of research topics most important to them.