Competency L

Core Competency L: demonstrate understanding of quantitative and qualitative research methods, the ability to design a research project, and the ability to evaluate and synthesize research literature.

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Introduction:

Librarians and information professionals are the ones that people consult for help with matters of research. While it may be a surprise to some, information professionals may also conduct their own research studies from time to time. Research is quite vital to the Library and Information Science (LIS) field. Research can help information professionals find ways to streamline their services, more deeply understand how people use libraries, and find solutions to potential problems. There are two types of research that information professionals may engage in: primary research and secondary research.

Primary Research:

Primary research occurs when an information professional devises and performs a research study, usually in response to a research question or an identified problem. There are many methods an information professional can use in their research. Research methods are generally divided into two major categories: qualitative and quantitative. Qualitative research methods often involve verbal and descriptive data (Beck & Manuel, 2008). Quantitative research methods, on the other hand, often involve numbers and clearly defined units of measurement. While research studies can be either one or the other, it is also common to see research studies that use a mix of both qualitative and quantitative methods.

Qualitative research methods are most often used for research questions that require the researcher to determine individuals’ attitudes, motivations, or behaviors. Examples of mainly qualitative research methods are observations and interviews. In both methods, the researcher usually has a presence in the environment they are studying, whether it is intentional or not (Beck & Manuel, 2008). In both methods, data is collected via detailed notes of what the researcher sees or hears. Data analysis occurs through a careful study of the data collected to pick out common themes or surprising findings. The results of a qualitative study tend to be up to the interpretation of the researcher, and can be subjective (Beck & Manuel, 2008).

Quantitative research methods are used for research questions that require the researcher to examine measurable differences/changes, or require the compilation or study of numerical data. Examples of mainly quantitative research methods are closed-ended surveys (i.e. Likert scale style, questionnaires with fixed answers) and experimental research (a comparison between two or more variables) (Beck & Manuel, 2008). When collecting data in quantitative studies, researchers try to minimize their impact on the environment they are studying. The data is usually recorded using measurement devices, and data analysis is conducted through the use of statistics and/or mathematics. The results of a quantitative study are strongly dictated by what the data shows—researchers try to discuss the results as objectively as possible (Beck & Manuel, 2008).

Due to the nature of the environments that information professionals work in, most research conducted by information professionals tend to use qualitative methods. However, quantitative methods can also be useful for certain situations. For example, a librarian might want determine if the implementation of a new teen space increases the number of teens who read. A librarian can find the answer to this question by observing and interviewing teens who come to the library, which will help the librarian determine the attitudes of teens on reading and the new teen space. The librarian can then conduct surveys and analyze circulation statistics over a period of time, which will yield data on the actual rates at which teens are checking out materials. The results of both of these methods can inform the librarian’s dicussion on whether the new teen space is a success or not.

Secondary Research:

Secondary research occurs when an information professional analyzes past research studies. The purpose in doing so is usually to see what past research has yielded on a particular topic, to summarize previous studies, or to see if any research on a particular topic has been done at all. Secondary research can play an important role in the LIS field, helping to identify areas where research is lacking; or helping to provide a snapshot of important studies for other information professionals. When embarking on secondary research, is vital that information professionals understand the differences between scholarly, professional, and popular sources. Information professionals must also read research studies with a critical eye; noting whether the research problem is clearly defined, if the sampling methods are unbiased, or if the data collection and analysis procedures are suitable for the study (Boswell & Cannon, 2009).

Coursework/Experience that Prepared Me for this Competency:

As an undergraduate student, my main area of study was in the biology field. Thus, I already had a firm base of knowledge on quantitative research—the methods they involved and how to interpret quantitative research studies. However, it is only after I entered the LIS field that I learned much more about qualitative research methods and how important they are to the LIS field. Info 285 (Research Methods in Library and Information Science) in particular was most informative in teaching me how to synthesize research literature and draft up a research proposal.

References:

Beck, S. E. & Manuel, K. (2008). Practical research methods for librarians and information professionals. New York, NY: Neal-Schuman Publishers.

Boswell, C. & Cannon, S. (2009). Chapter 13: Critique process. In C. Boswell and S. Cannon (Eds.), Introduction to nursing research: Incorporating evidence based practice. (pp. 291-316). Burlington, MA: Jones and Bartlett Learning.

Evidence:

1. Info 200 Literature Review -- "Vietnamese-American Attitudes about Health Care Services"

The first piece of evidence that I am submitting for competency L is a literature review that I wrote for Info 200 (Information Communities). For this assignment, we were tasked with writing a literature review on an information-seeking aspect of the community we chose at the beginning of the school term. The topic of my literature review paper was the health-care information seeking behaviors of the Vietnamese-American community.

My paper provides a broad overview of some of the most notable studies between the years 2000-2015 concerning Vietnamese-Americans and their attitudes/use of health services. I made sure to identify the differences between the studies found in scholarly journals and those found in professional journals. I also touched upon the methods of research that the studies in my literature review used and their limitations. I submit this paper as evidence towards competency L as it demonstrates my ability to critically evaluate the research literature on a topic; and also to synthesize it into a comprehensive and cohesive literature review. This paper also demonstrates my ability to conduct secondary research in a way that would be helpful for health care providers and possibly information professionals.

The literature review can be read below.

2. Info 285 Research Methods Critique -- "Evaluation of Affordable Care Act Messages"

My second piece of evidence is a research critique from Info 285 (Research Methods in Library and Information Science).

In this paper, I critically reviewed a research study that focused upon the effects that advertisements had in encouraging people to go to their library to seek out health care information. This particular study used focus groups as their method of gathering data, which made it a qualitative research study. In critiquing this research study, I made sure to analyze it based on qualitative research standards such as rigor and credibility. I also carefully read the research study many times to check that all components of a properly conducted research study—research questions, description of study sample, data collection, data analysis, and results—were included. Despite lacking some detail in certain sections (such as their data analysis section), I found the study to be conducted in a sufficiently thorough manner overall. I submit this paper to demonstrate my understanding of the procedures involved in a qualitative research study, and also to demonstrate my ability to evaluate a qualitative research study.

The critique can be found in its entirety below.

3. Info 285 Research Proposal -- "Los Angeles Library Users' Attitudes Towards Homeless Public Library Use"

My final piece of evidence is a research proposal that I created for Info 285 (Research Methods in Library and Information Science). I had wanted to study how the homeless population affected libraries—specifically library users. After doing much secondary research into the LIS literature on homelessness and libraries, I found that no research had yet been done on library users’ attitudes towards homeless public library use. Thus, I made that the topic of my research proposal.

My research proposal includes a brief literature review, demonstrating my ability to synthesize the LIS research literature on this topic. For this research proposal, I decided to look specifically at the attitudes of library users who were part of the Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) system*. I chose to conduct a closed-ended mail survey (a quantitative research method) on a large scale, as well as phone interviews (a qualitative research method) on a smaller scale. This was to ensure that the results would reflect library users’ attitudes as accurately as was possible for the size of this study. When designing this research proposal, I had to carefully take into account the differences between these two types of research methods, which dictated different methods of data collection and analysis. This demonstrates my understanding of both types of research methods (quantitative and qualitative), and their applicability to a study focused on public library users.

The use of mail surveys and phone interviews specifically were due to the large size of the LAPL’s community. They were also, I believed, the most ethical method of studying library users’ attitudes on the homeless, as they afforded study participants the most confidentiality. This demonstrates my ability to apply the appropriate research techniques to a specific kind of library environment. When designing this research proposal, I also had to take into account the logistics of many aspects of the study, such as funding, budgeting, and time management. This demonstrates my ability to design a carefully planned and thorough research project. All of the points mentioned in these past two paragraphs demonstrate my mastery of competency L.

The research proposal document can be accessed below.

*Note: I am not affiliated in any way with the Los Angeles Public Library System. I have simply mentioned the LAPL here as a potential research site for my research proposal assignment paper.

Conclusion:

As an aspiring public librarian, I will probably not be as obligated to conduct research studies as much as say, an academic librarian. However, as a person who was previously in the biology field, I realize the importance of research and how it can contribute to the growth of and knowledge in the LIS field. I plan to keep afloat of the current research findings in the LIS field. If I happen to find a research topic that has not yet been studied, I can use my knowledge of quantitative and qualitative research methods to devise an appropriate research study. Thanks to my knowledge in research proposal writing, I am confident I will be able to garner support for any research endeavor I embark on.