Quantitative "Versus" Qualitative Research: The Wrong Question

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hope Olson
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Qualitative Method ◽  
Quantitative Method ◽  
Information Science ◽  
Library And Information Science

Through a deconstructive reading of texts on qualitative method and its contrast with quantitative method and through information needs studies regarding specific populations of women this paper concludes that the focus on method should not drive research. Rather, the ontological and epistemological stances of researchers assessed on a spectrum from subjective to objective are more indicative of the perspectives represented in library and information science research.Avec un étude déconstructif des textes sur des méthodes qualitatives et ses contrastes avec des méthodes quantitatives et avec l'étude des besoins informatiques à l'égard des populations spécifiques de femmes cette document conclut que le focus sur les méthodes utilisées ne devrait pas motiver la recherche. Au lieu, les positions ontologiques et épistemologiques des chercheurs évaluées sur une gamme du subjectif à l'objectif sont plus indicatives des perspectives représentées dans la domaine de la bibliothéconomie et des sciences de l'information.

Scientific literacy, librarians and information literacy in the post-truth era

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Donna Ellen Frederick
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Scientific Literacy ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Information Science ◽  
Library And Information Science ◽  
Cost Information ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Science Degree ◽  
Self Image ◽  
Professional Self

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to challenge librarians to reconceptualize their professional self-image and practice so that it more closely aligns with the information science discipline that is part of the Masters of Library and Information Science degree. Design/methodology/approach This column is primarily theoretical and philosophical but also draws on the author’s observations of trends and patterns in both librarianship and changes in information needs in recent years. Findings Urgent, high-cost information needs created by COVID-19 and climate change coexist in a reality where technological change has made traditional librarian roles and functions less critical. By developing their information science skills and strengthening their professional identity as information scientists, librarians have the opportunity to address the urgent information needs of the day while remaining highly relevant professionals. Practical implications Librarians will need to strengthen their science-related skills and knowledge and begin to promote themselves as information scientists. Social implications Librarians are in a position to make a meaningful contribution to two of the most pressing challenges of the day, climate change and dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. Originality/value This paper is relevant to all librarians at any stage of their career. It will help them to reflect on both their skillset and career path and to make any needed adjustments so that they can remain relevant in a volatile and demanding information environment.

How useful are smartphones for learning? Perceptions and practices of Library and Information Science students from Hong Kong and Japan

2015 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 545-561 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zvjezdana Dukic ◽  
Dickson K.W. Chiu ◽  
Patrick Lo
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Information Science ◽  
Academic Learning ◽  
Library And Information Science ◽  
Theory Approach ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Major Barrier ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Actual Use

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of higher education students’ experiences in using smartphones for learning purposes, and their perceptions of the suitability of smartphones for learning. Design/methodology/approach – A qualitative research method is applied to data collection and analysis by following the grounded theory approach. Data were gathered by an online focus group involving Library and Information Science (LIS) students from University of Hong Kong and University of Tsukuba (Japan). Findings – LIS students at both universities regularly use smartphones for communication, socializing, entertainment and other daily information needs. The findings show that LIS students commonly use smartphones for learning and consider smartphones to be very useful for their academic work. They use smartphones to access course materials, search library catalog, discuss course assignments with peers, take notes, etc. Although both academic libraries involved offer a variety of services for mobile devices, these services are still not used frequently. A major barrier to using smartphone for academic learning is the smartphone’s small screen. Research limitations/implications – The study relies on a convenience sample, restricted to students from two universities, one from Hong Kong and the other from Japan. Further research on a larger sample is recommended. Originality/value – The study adds to the knowledge of smartphone actual use for learning purposes and provides study participants’ insights on the usefulness of smartphones for learning.

Attitude of Library and Information Science Professionals Towards Resource Sharing and Networking of Academic Libraries

2021 ◽  
pp. 2019-2034
Author(s):  
Ramadhas G. ◽  
Suman Sankar A. S.
Keyword(s):  
Academic Libraries ◽  
Resource Sharing ◽  
Tamil Nadu ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Information Dissemination ◽  
Information Science ◽  
Library And Information Science ◽  
The People ◽  
Effective Manner ◽  
Modern Era

Information explosion is the common phenomenon in the modern era in which no library can stand alone in fulfilling the information needs and requirements of its users. Resource sharing provides the means to maximize the usage of library collection irrespective of its type. Networking of libraries facilitates resource sharing among the participating libraries in an effective manner and it indirectly facilitates marketing of library sources among a group of libraries. Technology alone is not sufficient to bring together the sources. The attitudes of the people involved in the information dissemination are also a decisive factor in determining the success of resource sharing through networking of libraries. This chapter presents the attitude of information professionals for effective resource sharing and networking of academic libraries in the southern districts of Tamil Nadu, India. The study revealed that library and information science professionals have a positive attitude towards resource sharing and networking of libraries.

Attitude of Library and Information Science Professionals Towards Resource Sharing and Networking of Academic Libraries

2020 ◽  
pp. 74-90
Author(s):  
Ramadhas G. ◽  
Suman Sankar A. S.
Keyword(s):  
Academic Libraries ◽  
Resource Sharing ◽  
Tamil Nadu ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Information Dissemination ◽  
Information Science ◽  
Library And Information Science ◽  
The People ◽  
Effective Manner ◽  
Modern Era

Information explosion is the common phenomenon in the modern era in which no library can stand alone in fulfilling the information needs and requirements of its users. Resource sharing provides the means to maximize the usage of library collection irrespective of its type. Networking of libraries facilitates resource sharing among the participating libraries in an effective manner and it indirectly facilitates marketing of library sources among a group of libraries. Technology alone is not sufficient to bring together the sources. The attitudes of the people involved in the information dissemination are also a decisive factor in determining the success of resource sharing through networking of libraries. This chapter presents the attitude of information professionals for effective resource sharing and networking of academic libraries in the southern districts of Tamil Nadu, India. The study revealed that library and information science professionals have a positive attitude towards resource sharing and networking of libraries.

scholarly journals The Analysis Condition of Special Library for Street Children at UPTD "Kampung Anak Negeri” Institutions

2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 118
Author(s):  
Fitri Mutia
Keyword(s):  
Information Search ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Information Science ◽  
Street Children ◽  
Study Data ◽  
Library And Information Science ◽  
Library Services ◽  
Special Library ◽  
Data Collection Technique

The existence of special library UPTD the "Kampung Anak Negeri" became one medium that can be used to develop the potential of street children themselves a growing number from year to year. This study conducted descriptive quantitative research that aim to describe the condition of special libraries in UPTD “Kampung Anak Negeri", especially in terms of collections, facilities and infrastructure, library services and human resources (librarian). The four aspects are then compared with the standard of the special library collated by the National Library in 2011. In this study, data collection technique conducted in July 2016 using interview techniques as a primary technique performed on librarians and include interviews with street children as well as staff of Colleagues   staff UPTD.  Based on the data obtained can be concluded that the amount of the book collection of about 752 titles of books, collection development has not reached 5% per year, spacious room just 35m² and has only 2 rack collection. Services available are services in place read, circulation services and information search services, while the librarians who manage only one person with a background in library and information science education. In general, special libraries UPTD condition does not meet the standard, so this affects is not maximized to support learning process as well as in facilities that match the information needs of street children.   

scholarly journals Information literacy in Portugal

2009 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Armando Malheiro da Silva ◽  
Viviana Fernández Marcial
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Research ◽  
University Students ◽  
Information Literacy ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Information Science ◽  
University Level ◽  
Development Levels ◽  
University Degree ◽  
The University

A paper present some data about a project which, although focused on the specific case of Portugal, intents to make a scientific approach of the challenges of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) and its impact in the field of the information literacy, considering the actual context of the Information Society. The main questions that it intents to answer are: understand how the university students face the new competences required by the creation of the EHEA; know how these students are prepared in terms of information competences, in three different moments, i.e., prior to the university, during the university frequency period and at the end of the university degree. The inter and transdiscisplinary approach between the Education, Cognitive Sciences and Information Science are clearly stated in the epistemological and theoretical model that supports it, profiting of the interaction between information needs produced in the educational context and the student’s informational universe and its dynamics, without forgetting to consider the connections of student’s informational behavior with their personal and social context and demands. The study will be performed on a national scale, in order to allow comparisons between regions with different development levels. The sample will include students from both study cycles. The methodology used in this study will be divided in two areas, qualitative and quantitative research. The qualitative research will permit to obtain precious indicators about the students’ information behavior, expectations, needs and use of information. The indicators obtained in qualitative research will be used to design questionnaires, which will to be performed in 17 high schools and 17 universities, with an estimated sample of approximately 2000 students. The final result of this research will be the design of an informational behavior map, at the university level, and the development of a model concerning the promotion of information competences in Portuguese university students.

Library and Information Studies Education, Technology, and Professional Identity

2013 ◽  
pp. 89-109
Keyword(s):  
Professional Identity ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Information Science ◽  
Science Studies ◽  
Professional Organizations ◽  
Library And Information Science ◽  
Library And Information Studies ◽  
Core Courses ◽  
Information Studies ◽  
Core Course

Librarians start to form their professional identities during their Master’s of Library and Information Science/Studies programs. With this in mind, this chapter explores how technology is taught in Library and Information Studies (LIS) programs by examining the core course offerings at 51 of the 57 American Library Association’s accredited programs. Technology-focused courses are the sixth most commonly offered core courses by LIS programs, and an examination of their content using course descriptions and available syllabi indicated that the content taught in these courses matched with expectations as described in competency standards from professional organizations. This indicated that LIS programs are teaching an understanding of technology that agrees with how practising librarians understand technology. The recent iSchool movement has led some professional librarians to claim that LIS programs are no longer offering an education that is relevant for today’s information world. This chapter finds that this claim is false and that the LIS education offered by both iSchools and non-iSchools appears to meet professional expectations for technology education. What the iSchool movement offers LIS education, however, is an expanded understanding of how information users interact with technology in all information settings, not just the library. This provides librarians with a broader understanding of patrons’ information needs. Finally, there is a brief examination of international LIS education, with specific attention to how it is emerging in developing countries.

PLS SEM, a quantitative methodology to test theoretical models from library and information science

2018 ◽  
Vol 34 (5) ◽  
pp. 526-531
Author(s):  
José Refugio Romo-González ◽  
Javier Tarango ◽  
Juan D. Machin-Mastromatteo
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Information Science ◽  
Theoretical Models ◽  
Information Resources ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Library And Information Science ◽  
Quantitative Methodology ◽  
Science Field ◽  
The Impact

Structural equation modeling (SEM), with the technique of partial least squares (PLS), can be used for exploratory and predictive evaluations of the causal relationships and impact among variables postulated in theoretical models. This work presents PLS-SEM’s basic notions as a useful methodology to validate the abundance of models in the library and information science field; it offers an example of its application to test a model for measuring the impact of information resources and services on Mexican universities’ academic competitiveness; and it proposes its application to test the Information Needs Model.

scholarly journals PERILAKU PENCARIAN INFORMASI MAHASISWA DALAM MEMENUHI KEBUTUHAN INFORMASI SEBELUM DAN SAAT PANDEMI COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 21
Author(s):  
Muhammmad Nurfadillah ◽  
Ardiansah Ardiansah
Keyword(s):  
Information Seeking ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Information Science ◽  
Information Seeking Behavior ◽  
Library And Information Science ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Seeking Behavior ◽  
Search For Information ◽  
Virus Spreading

The Covid-19 pandemic has brought changes to every aspect of life, one of which is education. Due to these circumstances, conventional learning has turned into online learning to avoid potential virus-spreading in university clusters, and UPI Library and Information Science 2019 students must follow the policy. The study aims to determine the information-seeking behavior of university students in meeting their information needs and differences in information-seeking behavior before and during the Covid-19 pandemic. This study method uses a descriptive quantitative research method. The sample of this research is students who experience two types of learning, conventional learning (in the classroom) and long-distance learning (online class). The results of this study indicate that there are differences in information-seeking behavior of UPI Library and Information Science 2019 students before and during the Covid-19 pandemic both in terms of motivation, place, sources, strategies, and obstacles in finding information. This is shown from the percentages of respondents' answers that show a decrease in physical activity such as visiting the library and a decrease in the use of printed media in finding information during the Covid-19 pandemic. On the other hand, the use of electronic and online-based media to search for information such as e-journal catalogs is increasing, and the use of electronic information sources has also increased during the Covid-19 pandemic.

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