LIBR 590: Research Methods in Libraries and Archives - COURSE SYLLABUS
Program: Master of Library and Information Studies
Year: Winter Session 2005-2006, term 1
Location: FNS 40
Instructor: Ann Curry
Office location: TEF 322
Office phone: 604-822-4250
Office hours: Wednesdays, 1-3 p.m. Please make appointments by email.
E-mail address: ann.curry@ubc.ca
Course Goals: The purpose of this course is to introduce the theory and practice of the basic social science research methods used in libraries and related information-based organizations. It provides a framework of structured problem solving that is used to analyze and implement the research activities and needs of your field. The emphasis is on those techniques and knowledge required to produce research as well as the informed consumption and interpretation of existing research and includes both quantitative and qualitative research.
Course Objectives:
Upon completion of this course, student will be able to:
- Discuss the roles that research plays in our profession in general.
- Discuss the importance of research method knowledge for today’s practicing information specialists
- Describe the basic elements of social science research methods and their applications in library, and related information-based environments.
- Critique a published research study
- Prepare a detailed research plan including problem identification and selection, research questions/hypotheses, relevant variables, literature review, methodological design, sampling design, development of data gathering instruments, design of codebook, and data collection techniques.
- Discuss the various ethical issues relevant to certain research topics and research methodologies
Prerequisites: LIBR 500, 510, 549, and 560
Format of the course: One three-hour class per week, which may include lectures, guest speakers, and group discussions.
Required and Recommended Reading:
Required:
- Bryman, Alan. Social Research Methods. 2 nd ed. New York: Oxford University Press, 2004.
Recommended:
- Powell, Ronald and Lynn Connaway. Basic Research Methods for Librarians. Westport, Conn.: Libraries Unlimited, 2004 (limited number of copies at UBC Bookstore)
- Walliman, Nicholas. Your Research Project: A Step-by-Step Guide for the First-time Researcher. London: Sage Publications, 2001.
- The Researching Librarian Website - http://www.researchinglibrarian.com/
- The Research Methods web resources site listed through the Resources link on the SLAIS web page: http://www.slais.ubc.ca/resources/research_methods/index.htm. Page was created by Mary Sue Stephenson, SLAIS webmaster.
Course Assignments, Due dates and Weight in relation to final course mark:
The major assignments for this course are #1 and #2. The others are short experiments/exercises that should take three to four hours each, including the reported assessment. Unless otherwise noted, assignments must be handed in by midnight of the due date.
Assignments |
Due Dates |
Weight |
#1 Literature Review (Done in groups of 3 or 4) |
Oct. 13 |
30% |
#2 Project Design (same groups as Assig. #1) |
Nov. 30 |
40% |
#3 Research Minis a. In-person interview b. Telephone interview c. Self-completion questionnaire d. Structured observation e. Content analysis |
Oct. 5 Oct. 5 Oct. 19 Oct. 26 Oct. 26 |
25% -- Each mark /5
|
#4 Class participation, including attendance |
|
5 % |
Course Schedule:
DATE |
TOPICS |
ASSIGNMENT DUE |
Sept 7 |
1) Introduction to Research 2) Social Research Strategies (Bryman - Chap 1) 3) Overview of Possible Research Topics (Chap. 26, p.523-524) |
|
Sept. 14 |
1) Research Designs (Chap. 2)
2) Action Research, Evaluation Research 3) How to do a literature review (Chap. 26, p. 525-527) |
|
Sept. 21 |
1) Reliability & Validity (Chap. 3) 2) Concepts and Variables (Chap. 3, Chap. 11, p. 218-226) |
|
Sept. 28 |
1)The Art of Asking Questions (Chaps. 5, 6, & 7)
|
|
Oct. 5 |
1) The Art of Asking Questions cont’d (Chaps. 5, 6, & 7)
|
#3a and 3b |
Oct. 12 |
1) Sampling (Chap. 4)
|
#1 – Lit Review
|
Oct. 19 |
1) Discussion of 3c Research mini 2) Structured Observation (Chap. 8)
3) Content Analysis (Chap. 9) |
#3c |
Oct. 26 |
1) Discussion of 3d and 3e Research minis 2) Qualitative Research (Chap. 13)
|
#3d and 3e |
Nov. 2 |
1) Scheduled assignment clinics |
|
Nov. 9 |
1) Coding and Analyzing Data
|
|
Nov. 16 |
1) Ethics in Research (Chap. 25) |
|
Nov. 23 |
1) Historical Research ((Chap. 18) 2) Assignment clinic |
|
Nov. 30 |
1) Writing up Research 2) Reports on Project Designs |
#2 |
Attendance: The UBC calendar states: “Regular attendance is expected of students in all their classes (including lectures, laboratories, tutorials, seminars, etc.). Students who neglect their academic work and assignments may be excluded from the final examinations. Students who are unavoidably absent because of illness or disability should report to their instructors on return to classes.”
Regular on-time attendance in class is an important and required part of this course. For sessions you miss, it is your responsibility to obtain from one of the other class members copies of all handouts distributed.
I recognize that sudden unexpected problems arise for everyone (including myself), but I expect you to attend and be on time for class. Absences and/or repeated tardiness will result in a lower course mark or in a request from me that you drop the course. The size of an attendance-related course mark penalty will be determined by the instructor. If you ARE late for class (for whatever reason) please come into the classroom rather than waiting for the break.
Consumption of beverages is okay during class time, and occasional consumption of food is fine. I’d rather you were alert in class rather than fainting from hunger!
Evaluation :
Assignments will not be accepted late unless prior arrangements are made with me. Consideration will be given to legitimate emergencies. If an extension is granted, a late penalty may be imposed at my discretion; this will be discussed when you request an extension.
All assignments will be awarded letter grades using the evaluative criteria given on the SLAIS website: http://www.slais.ubc.ca/RESOURCES/slais-marking.htm
Please do not hand in assignments with each sheet of paper encased in plastic – it is impossible to put comments (good and bad!) on these sheets.
There is no final exam for this class, so my confidence that you have mastered concepts depends partially on the knowledge “osmosis” that occurs while you are in class. Therefore, assessment for class participation and attendance will be negatively affected by every missed class. If you miss more than 15% of the classes, e.g. more than 2 classes, your achievement of a “B+” or “A” grade will be in jeopardy.
Written & Spoken English Requirement: Written and spoken work may receive a lower mark if it is, in the opinion of the instructor, deficient in English.
Course Discussion List – Name of List – l-590a ***** NOTE the “a” for Ann after 590.
Each of you must sign-up for the class internet discussion list. From whatever email account you wish to use, send the following [leave the Subject lineblank]: address-- To: majordomo@interchange.ubc.ca
message-- subscribe l-590a
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This is the mechanism that I will use to make announcements to you outside class. You are also welcome to post comments/questions to the list if relevant to other students. For particular problems or questions you should e-mail me directly at ann.curry@ubc.ca, see me in my office, or call me.
