Basic Research Methods for Librarians

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