What is research?

Long Dictionary Definition: A studious inquiry or examination, especially a critical investigation or experimentation having for its aim the discover of new facts and their correct interpretation the revision of accepted conclusions, theories, or laws in the light of new discovered facts or the practical application of such conclusions, theories or laws.

What is research? No. 2

Short dictionary definition: Diligent and systematic inquiry or investigation into a subject in order to discover facts or principles.

What is research? No. 3

Very short dictionary definition: To look again.

Research: basic elements

Critical discover interpretation laws, theories, principles

Ways of Knowing about the World: Inquiry Strategies

w Authority w Religion w Tradition w Intuition w Creativity w Science and scientific research

Authority as a way of knowing

Sources of authority: parents the state our boss etc.

Religion as a way of knowing

Sources and types of knowledge: faith beliefs standards morals etc.

Tradition as a way of knowing

Sources and benefits of tradition: Weve always done it that way Folkways Cultural patterns We know how to behave in certain situations

Scientific research: focus of this course

Science is only one way to know about the world but it has the following characteristics to commend it:

Research: Divisions
Basic research: looks at causes, effects, and the nature of things Applied research : trying to find answers and solutions to specific problems

reliable systematic critical rigorous real world = empirical

Scientific research: the process

1. A search for understanding of reality (the empirical world) 2. This understanding is achieved by statements of general laws or principles 3. These laws or principles can be tested empirically in the real world to see if they are accurate and reliable.

Scientific research: the procedures

1. The problem and problem statement 2. The hypothesis (or best guess) as the the answer to that problem. 3. Data collection of facts relevant to the problem. 4. Analysis of the data 5. Reaching conclusions about the problem.

Scientific research and LIS: why?

1. We also search for understanding 2. We also hope to come up with general laws, theories, principles that help to understand and deal with our problems 3. We also want them to be accurate, reliable, and applicable to reality.

Importance of Research in LIS

w Practical application w Interpreting research results w Improving service to library users w Personal research

Contribution of Research to LIS

Description
describes events & behaviors

Contribution of Research to LIS

Improvement
interventions that improve student learning or some other outcome

Prediction
ability to predict future events & behaviors based on past occurrences

Explanation
involves description, prediction, & improvement

Research Traditions: Physical and Biological Sciences

Distinguishing features: 1. Development of general principles, laws, and theories about the real world. 2. Understanding and explanation

Research Tradition in the humanities

Generally focuses on a search for the discovery of facts (what actually happened), the best text of a work, the original creator, etc.

Research tradition in the social and behavioral sciences

Very mixed traditions with combinations of approaches often used by different disciplines in this area. Some disciplines (e.g., economics) very focused on theory and principles; others (e.g., LIS, Sociology, etc.) with combinations of approaches

Scientific research: commonalities of all disciplines

1. A concern with discovery of the facts 2. A concern with considering rival explanations to what has been observed 3. Consensus among researchers 4. Publication and critical review of findings and conclusions

Research as problem solving

All research is concerned with solving problems but it may be categorized as follows: 1. Research as description 2. Research as understanding trends and operations 3. Research as explanation

Research and Ethics: not an oxymoron Basic ethical principles of all research: 1. No harm to subjects 2. Voluntary participation
(see Babbie, chapter 1 and Appendix A for more details)