LIBR 610: Theoretical and Research Foundations of Library and Information Studies – Course Syllabus
Program: Doctor of Philosophy
Year: 2005-2006 Winter Session, Term 2
Course Schedule: Thursday, 9:00 a.m. - noon .
Location: 320 TEFIII
Instructor: Edie Rasmussen
Office location: TEF III, Room 312
Office phone: 604-827-5486
Office hours: Monday
9:30-11:00 or by appointment
E-mail addresses: edie.rasmussen@ubc.ca
Course Goal: To develop an understanding of the environment for library, archival and information studies, from an academic and research perspective.
Course Objectives:
- To understand the nature and role of research and publication in library, archival, and information studies
- To understand the role of theory in LAIS research
- To survey the theoretical foundations of LAIS research
Course Topics: See course schedule.
Course Restrictions: Limited to students in the PhD program
Format of the course: Seminars, readings, guest speakers.
Required and Recommended Reading :
Required:
- Weekly readings as specified in schedule and assigned.
Recommended:
- Students are encouraged to identify additional readings around the topic for discussion, and to share them through recommendations and discussion on the course discussion list.
Course Assignments, Due dates and Weight in relation to final course mark:
Assignment |
Due Date |
Value |
Seminars/Discussion |
As scheduled |
50% |
Term Paper/Final Presentation |
Mar 30 |
40% |
Participation |
N/A |
10% |
- Seminars/Discussion. For your chosen topic, prepare and distribute a short list of readings for the group, and a set of questions for discussion, at least one week prior to your presentation date. You will present a lecture on your topic and lead a discussion on it.
- Poster/Presentation: Conduct a research study related to one of the theories covered and prepare a poster for presentation in the final seminar.
Course Schedule [week-by-week]:
Date |
Topics |
Lead/ Guests |
Reading and Assignments |
Week 1 January 5 |
Introduction
Discussion of LIS Research Literature
|
ER |
|
Week 2 January 12 |
Research, Practice, and Technology Transfer |
ER |
Clarke, R. (1999). A primer in Diffusion of Innovations Theory. http://www.anu.edu.au/people/ Haddow, G. and Klobas, J.E. (2004). Communication of research to practice in library and information science: Closing the Gap. Library & Information Science Research 26: 29-43. Hahn, K.L. and Schoch, N.A. (1997). Applying diffusion theory to electronic publishing: A conceptual framework for examining issues and outcomes. http://www.asis.org/annual-97/hahnk.htm Hjørland, B. (2000). Library and information science: Practice, theory and philosophical basis. Information Processing and Management 36: 501-531. Powell, R.R., Baker, L.M. and Mika, J.J. (2002). Library and information science practitioners and research. Library & Information Science Research 24: 49-72. |
Week 3 January 19 |
No Class |
|
|
Week 4 January 26 |
Major research areas: characterizing a field of study |
ER/AC |
|
Week 5 February 2 |
Major research areas: characterizing a field of study |
HB/LZ |
. |
Week 6 February 9 |
Characterizing LIS research: fundamental theories |
ER |
Hall, H. (2003). Borrowed theory: Applying exchange theory in library and information science. Library & Information Science Research 25: 287-306. McGrath, W.E. Explanation and prediction; Building a unified theory of librarianship, concept and review . Library Trends 50(3): 350-370. McKechnie, L. M., & Pettigrew, K. E. (2002). Surveying the use of theory in library and information science research: A disciplinary perspective.Library Trends, 50.3, 406-417. Pettigrew, K.E. and McKechnie, L. (E.F.) (2001). The use of theory in information science research. Journal of the American Society for Information Science and Technology, 52(1): 62-73 |
No Class February 16 |
Midterm Break |
|
|
Week 7 February 23 |
Theoretical Foundations of LIS |
|
|
Week 8 March 2 |
Theoretical Foundations of LIS |
|
|
Week 9 March 9 |
Theor etical Foundations of LIS |
|
|
Week 10 March 16 |
Theoretical Foundations of LIS |
|
|
| Week 11
March 23 |
Theoretical Foundations of LIS |
|
|
Week 12 Mar 30 |
Posters/Presentations |
|
|
Attendance: The 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.”
Evaluation: Based on presentation of a seminar and a term paper. Participation in seminar discussion will count toward the final grade. Terms 1 and 2 are graded separately and will be averaged for the course grade.
Other Course Policies as Relevant – Students are expected to subscribe to a seminar discussion list during the term.
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.
