http://www.loc.gov/mods/v3 http://www.loc.gov/standards/mods/v3/mods-3-2.xsd
Research methods for students, academics and professionals
1 online resource (xvii, 352 pages) : illustrations
Research is such an important subject for information professionals that there will always be a need for effective guides to it. Research skills are a prerequisite for those who want to work successfully in information environments, an essential set of tools which enable information workers to become information professionals. This book focuses on producing critical consumers of research. It also goes some way towards producing researchers in the fields of information management and systems. The first edition of this book was enthusiastically received by researchers, students and information professionals in Australia and beyond. Reviews of the first edition considered it a "a worthwhile addition to any information professional's or research student's reference shelfi (Archives & Manuscripts). This new edition has an additional chapter on ethics, to address the importance of the ethical implications of research. It also has (as did the first edition) two unique characteristics: it is Australian-focused, distinctive among research texts for information professionals; and it has a multi-disciplinary focus, with its authors being drawn from information management (librarianship, archives and recordkeeping) and information systems. The numerous examples throughout the book are drawn from these multiple disciplines. The first edition of this book was road-tested with students from several disciplines who are studying in several universities. Its Introduction noted that "In research terms, the content have been refereed and found to be authoritative!" To this can be added the many satisfied users of the first edition
Front Cover; Research Methods for Students, Academics and Professionals: Information Management and Systems; Copyright Page; Table of Contents; List of figures, tables and boxes; Acknowledgments; Introduction; Research and professional practice; A multi-disciplinary approach; How to use this book; What the book does not cover; Warranty statement; References for Introduction; Section 1: Introduction to research methods; Introduction; CHAPTER 1. Introduction to research in relation to professional practice; Objectives; Introduction; What is research?
The major elements of a research project or proposalThe role which research can and should play in professional practice; Conclusion; Discussion questions; Further readings; References for Chapter 1; CHAPTER 2. The two major traditions of research; Objectives; Introduction: The two major traditions of research; Reasoning styles; Positivism and post-positivism; Interpretivism; Combining quantitative and qualitative methods; Summary of research approaches; Examples of quantitative and qualitative research in professional practice; Discussion questions; Further readings; References for Chapter 2.
CHAPTER 3. The beginning stages of researchObjectives; Research problems and research questions; Hypotheses: Their role in research and their formulation; Theory: Its role in research and its development; The literature review; Conclusion; Discussion questions; Further readings; References for Chapter 3; CHAPTER 4. Ethics in research; Objectives; The practice of ethics in research; Social ideals and research; Principles and ethical codes; Ethics committees; Power and influence; Publishing research; Hypothetical dilemmas: links between practice, ethics and research; Conclusion.
Further readingsReferences for Chapter 4; Section 2: Methods; Introduction; CHAPTER 5. Survey research; Objectives; Introduction to survey research; Sampling and the ability to generalise in survey research; Descriptive (or status) surveys; Explanatory (or analytical) surveys; Telephone surveys; Electronic surveys; Conclusion; Discussion questions; Further readings; References for Chapter 5; CHAPTER 6. Case study research; Objectives; The case study as a research approach; Philosophical traditions and case study research; Designing case study research; Conducting case study research.
ConclusionDiscussion questions; Further readings; References for Chapter 6; CHAPTER 7. Experimental research designs; Objectives; Introduction; Key research concepts underpinning experimental research designs; The true experiment; Pre-experimental research designs; Quasi-experimental research designs; Conclusion; Discussion questions; Further readings; References for Chapter 7; CHAPTER 8. System development in information systems research; Objectives; Specifics of information systems research; Systems development approach; Where systems development fits into the research cycle.
Kirsty Williamson with Amanda Bow [and others].
Includes bibliographical references and index.
Topics in Australasian library and information studies ; no. 20