Why library and information science research matters in hard times

Why library and information science research matters in hard times Dr Hazel Hall

2006-2008: consultations
March 2009: 5 founding members formally established the LIS Research Coalition
August 2009 : Hazel Hall appointed to lead the implementation
LIS Research Coalition: background

2006-2008: consultations
March 2009: 5 founding members formally established the LIS Research Coalition
August 2009 : Hazel Hall appointed to lead the implementation
LIS Research Coalition: background National Health Service Strategic Health Authority Library Leads Group (NHS SHALL)

Provision of a formal structure
 improve access to LIS research
 maximise relevance & impact of LIS research
Facilitating a co-ordinated and strategic approach to LIS Research across the UK

Organisational priorities
Inform practice, decisions on future services developments
Demonstrate accountability for actions - key in hard times
Personal priorities
Job satisfaction: intellectual stimulation & enjoyment of learning, pride in enhancing work practice, (retention)
Enhance “peer” relationships, e.g. academia
Career benefits: profile/reputation, leadership development, CPD  career progression
Why research?

How can we best engage our user communities? To what extent is Google perceived as a cost-free replacement for libraries? How should services be developed for mobile devices as the preferred platform for information delivery? What are the long-term impacts of digitisation on services provision?

Share good practice beyond individual services
Raise profile of LIS
Evidence-based profession, like others – support role plus
Support claims of LIS value
To individuals: e.g. education, social mobility
To citizens/society: e.g. enhanced local communities, contribution to culture and heritage
To specialist user groups: e.g. information provision to business to support economic development
Importance of research at level of profession/discipline

How can we best engage our user communities? To what extent is Google perceived as a cost-free replacement for libraries? How should services be developed for mobile devices as the preferred platform for information delivery? What are the long-term impacts of digitisation on services provision? WHAT IS THE IMPACT AND VALUE OF LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SERVICES?

Time constraints of the practitioner role
Low internal support of research activity
Limited knowledge of research approaches
Failure to recognise research activity/skills as such
Poor access to external support of research activity
Research-practice “gap”

Resources set up to save LIS researchers’ time
Advocacy to persuade services managers of need to support research initiatives
Resources and events to extend repertoire of research approaches in LIS
Efforts to improve recognition of research knowledge within the profession
Focus for external research support in LIS
Why the LIS Research Coalition matters in hard times

Bring together information about LIS research opportunities and results
Encourage dialogue between research funders
Promote LIS practitioner research and the translation of research outcomes into practice
Articulate a strategic approach to LIS research
Promote the development of research capacity in LIS
Goals of the LIS Research Coalition

Specific goals

See the Coalition web site at http://lisresearch.org

Research funding opportunities Studentships offered Invitation to join consultation Research report published Topical debate Report of on-going research Training event announced Conference registration open New journal issue published Conference offering funded places Research report published

Specific goals

Formal presentations to LIS stakeholders
Encourage practitioner research
Encourage dissemination of practitioner research
Promotion of application of research findings in the workplace
Hence time out of the office, e.g. yesterday
Breakfast in Edinburgh
Lunch in London
Dinner in Cardiff
Strong advocacy through face-to-face engagement

Future plans for promoting practitioner research: W3 Wiki; practitioner researcher starter kit; training events, e.g. “Meeting the editor/editorial board”.

Print, online and podcast news reports of Coalition activities
Contributions to national and international peer-reviewed publications
High visibility in the media important to raise the profile of LIS research with the wider community
Spreading the message across various media

Specific goals

Conference
Monday 28 th June 2010
British Library Conference Centre
6 sessions:
Coalition review/update
2 keynotes
2 breakouts
“ 1 minute madness session”
Plus networking opportunities
£100 (including VAT)
#lisrc10

Specific goals

Provide opportunities to share good practice, research methodologies and techniques
Raise the quality and standards of research
Improve collaboration
Influence and shape the future research agenda
Fingers crossed for AHRC bid
Conference and seminar programmes

Find out more at http://lisresearch.org
Suggestions for content welcomed
Follow @LISResearch on Twitter
@LISResearch will tweet your research-related news, queries...
Register for the conference on 28 th June
See http://lisresearch.org/conference-2010
Join us and help build the evidence base
LIS research matters to you

LIS Research Coalition
http://lisresearch.org
@LISResearch
Dr Hazel Hall
[email_address]
+44 (0)7 969 07 8181

Why library and information science research matters in hard times

by Library and Information Science Research Coalition on May 11, 2010

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Why library and information science research matters in hard times — Presentation Transcript