Theory and Praxis
Students have a critical grounding in theoretical perspectives that draw on research in LIS as well as other fields of knowledge, that inform their professional practices including research, organization, management, and access to information.
4. A. Students will describe applications of quantitative and qualitative research methodologies in library and information science.
LIS 6271 - RESEARCH METHODS IN LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SCIENCE
For this assignment in LIS 6271, students were asked to create several surveys for their major research proposal. My group, consisting of myself and two others, decided to utilize both personal interviews and a paper questionnaire for our hypothetical research project. Through this questionnaire assignment, I learned how to create a survey that would enhance research results by promoting responses and using clear, understandable language. Survey design is paramount for research within the library and information science field, as, without a proper understanding of quantitative and qualitative survey methods, research goals and objectives will not be met.
Note: As this project was completed as a group, the names of fellow members have been removed and replaced with placeholders to ensure privacy.
LIS 6271 - RESEARCH METHODS IN LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SCIENCE
This literature review was written for an assignment in LIS 6271 that asked students to evaluate a scholarly article or report that utilized research methods to gather data. The article I chose to analyze is entitled "The Use of Public Libraries by Native Americans," which uses quantitative methods to demonstrate the library use patterns of Native Americans in order to help librarians determine how to better serve this population. My review summarized how quantitative research was used to demonstrate what services Native Americans come to the library seeking. One of my deductions after writing this review was that research on library use by indigenous peoples in North America is lacking, as the author of the article had to use government data that was not intended for this study to draw conclusions.
4. B. Students will identify opportunities for research and develop plans for research in applied settings in library and information science.
LIS 6271 - RESEARCH METHODS IN LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SCIENCE
In LIS 6271, students were required to create a research proposal. My group, consisting of myself and two other students, decided to focus our proposal on how the Seminole Nation in Florida perceives public library services. My specific contributions include the "Significance of Study," "Research Goal and Research Questions," and "Research Methods" sections of the proposal. As a librarian, it is essential to consider how every demographic views and uses library services. By doing so, library resources can be relevant and helpful to the patrons that they serve. It is also imperative to continue researching the LIS field to see where improvement in services is needed and ensure advancement in the field.
Note: As this project was completed as a group, the names of fellow members have been removed and replaced with placeholders to ensure privacy.
LIS 6511 - COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT AND MAINTENANCE
For this assignment in LIS 6511, students were asked to design a needs assessment that included gathering appropriate demographic data from published sources, interviews with key informants, and a survey. My group, consisting of myself and two others, focused our assessment on a real library within Clay County, Florida. Therefore, the project contains actual data where applicable and possible. As a librarian, it is crucial to understand the community surrounding the library to ensure that services are relevant and accessible to all.
Note: As this project was completed as a group, the names of fellow members have been removed and replaced with placeholders to ensure privacy.