Key Concepts Blog: Introductory Readings

Wildemuth Chapter 1

Using Research Results to Improve Practice in the Information Professions 
Evidence-based practice – developing best practices through examination and application of research findings. 
Basic Research may not have impact on practice for a decade or more.  Applied Research have an impact on practice almost immediately.

Connaway and Powell Chapter 1

Research and Librarianship 
Basic versus Applied Research

o   Basic/Scientific Research – pure, theoretical – concerned with concepts and their relations, hypothesis and theories – not directly related to technical and practical problems.

o   Applied Research – puts emphasis on solving specific problems in real situations.

Qualitative versus Quantitative Research

o   Quantitative Research – is highly structured and relies on quantification of data.

o   Qualitative Research – observing and trying to understand behaviors of individuals.

Williamson Chapter 1

Introduction to Research in Relation to Professional Practice 
Positivist Research – gives emphasis on quantitative data, techniques like questionnaire 
Interpretvist – gives emphasis on qualitative data, meanings created by people

Sources 

Connaway, L. S. and Powell R. (2007). Chapter 1. In Basic Research Methods or Librarians (5th ed.). California.

Wildemuth, B. M. (2009). Chapter 1. In Applications of Social Research Methods to Questions in Information and Library Science. Connecticut.

Williamson, K. (2000). Chapter 1. In Research Methods fr Students and Professionals: Information Management and Systems.