This tag was created by Curtis Fletcher.  The last update was by Sarah Tribelhorn.

Sarah Tribelhorn Portfolio

Program Goal I

For information professionals to make effective and appropriate decisions regarding the potential success of new and existing programs, they need to be able to use a variety of different research methods resulting in qualitative and quantitative data that can be carefully interpreted to understand the potential impacts of the programs for the community. It is further necessary for information professionals to understand the results that will be obtained from different research methods to determine what would be most appropriate for their needs. Furthermore, these research methods can be applied to determine the needs of the community, and if information programs will meet these needs. In addition, the data generated from the research is required by all stakeholders in all stages of the decision-making process, from staff, to leaders, to funders, as well as the community. Therefore, it is necessary to be able to interpret and articulate the results in meaningful ways that can be understood by all the stakeholders. In the Master of Information and Library Science (MMLIS) Program, I had the opportunity to understand various qualitative and quantitative research and evaluation methods, and how to interpret these effectively through various activities, including my research project on sustainability in academic libraries, and assignments conducting and interpreting results from a focus group, survey, and content analysis.

Measuring Sustainability in Academic Libraries

 In LIM 593: Independent Research in Libraries and Information Management, I conducted research to understand what Key Performance Indicators could be used in academic libraries to measure sustainability and sustainability efforts. To obtain meaningful results, I first had to conduct a thorough literature survey, and based on this determine the most useful research methods to obtain results that were in line with my scope. I determined that a survey would result in the most useful results. Based on the data obtained, I  interpreted the results to provide useful information for academic libraries to be able to measure sustainability, and assessed and integrated relevant feedback from participants.

Research Methods

    In LIM 504: Research Methods in Library and Information Management, my team and I conducted a focus group, content analysis, and developed and survey for various assignments. The content analysis was focused on understanding consumer information; the focus group was focused on undergraduate information literacy in an academic library; and the survey was focused on resource use and accessibility in public libraries. Qualtrics software was used for the survey, and SPSS software was used to analyze all the data. For each assignment I interpreted the data based on the outcome initially desired for each of the respective assignments. This process helped me understand how to use each of these research methods to obtain the most useful qualitative and quantitative data required for effective decision making, and the steps required for these processes.

Conclusion

It is necessary for information professionals to understand and interpret different research methods, so they can use the most appropriate methods when analyzing communities and programs that will result in the most effective results for information service delivery. These methods can be applied to all aspects of Library and Information Science (LIS), including but not limited to community analysis, program development, collection development, technology development, budget development, and marketing. I have demonstrated with these assignments described, and others in my MMLIS coursework that I have mastered an understanding of different research methods, including their design, applications, and evaluation. Furthermore, I was able to apply the theory gained from these methods in practical applications. I am committed to continuously updating this knowledge and acquiring new research method skills to best serve my community in my LIS career. 
 

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