ILS 580
Research in Information and Library Science

Professor Mary Brown

 

Course Highlights

 

Catalog Description

Fundamentals of quantitative and qualitative research methods will be studied. Central research findings and research literature of the field are considered. Each student prepares a Special Project proposal to meet the Graduate School and MLS requirements.

 

Learning Goals/Outcomes

• Explain the importance of research in the creation of new knowledge.
• Explain and demonstrate the components of the research cycle.
• Define research problems and scientific research procedures in general.
• Describe the philosophical concepts and methodologies involved in library and information studies.
• Describe the role of research in library and information services.
• Analyze and critically evaluate existing research.
• Assess the actual and potential value of new research.
• Describe a variety of research methods and approaches.
• Identify an area of study and plan for conducting empirical research and analyzing collected data.
• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of ethical issues of research including human participant research.

 

Highlights & Samples of Course Work

The Research in Information and Library Science course provided me with an introduction and exposure to the process of conducting a research study. For my course-long project, I chose to survey all regular education classroom teachers in my school building to determine levels of collaboration, library usage, as well as needs for and opinions of the library program. As part of the research study, I participated in training modules and IRB application processes, developed research proposals, obtained approval, distributed surveys, compiled data, created graphs and tables, drafted and reviewed a final report, and revised the report based on peer review. The results of the study will be presented to the school administration and school media specialists in January 2010. In addition, I completed the Protecting Human Research Participants (PHRP) training module (National Institutes of Health (NIH)'s website for extramural researchers) and filed a copy of the resulting certificate with Southern Connecticut State University’s Information and Library Science department.

 

As well, I constructed this online Capstone Portfolio to display work that demonstrates my level of commitment to the field of library and information sciences, my desire to and my skills.  In addition, the portfolio charts the relationship between coursework and professional competencies. This Capstone Portfolio is has been submitted to the department on a CD disc and will be kept on file for review by students, faculty, and accrediting agencies.

 

The Special Project can be found on the Featured Project page.

 

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