Examines significant studies, published from 1934 through 1987, which have contributed to an understanding of three central concerns in the specialty associated with Bradford's law: the appropriate formulation for Bradford's law, the parameters of the Bradford distribution, and the Bradford distribution's relationships to other distributions. (79…

Describes ways in which content analysis is being used in library and information science research. Methodological concerns are addressed, including selection of target documents, selection of samples to be analyzed, selection of categories for analysis, and elimination of researcher bias to assure reliability. (35 references) (LRW)

Provides an introduction to and analysis of hermeneutics as an alternative research method for library and information science, discussing its philosophical advantages over quantitative research. The triadic process of interpretation is described as particularly suitable for advancing the theoretical foundations of library and information science.…

Explains the origins of technology assessment and defines the term. The method is discussed in general and with particular attention to use of the Delphi technique as a data-gathering tool for technology assessment studies. The method is suggested for considering the likely impacts of new information technologies on library and information…

Examines library and information science journal literature coverage by four major indexing and abstracting services: "Information Science Abstracts,""Library and Information Science Abstracts,""Abstract Journal: Informatics,""Library Literature." Current state of indexing coverage is compared with…

Examines Blumenschein's "Description of Various Libraries in Europe" as an early example of library research methodology; discusses his methods of data collection; describes his use of a questionnaire; and suggests the necessity of further studies of the development of research in library and information science. (Contains 10…

Analyzes and characterizes issues and trends in library and information science research published in 91 English-language journals in 1984. Data presented in tables include: (1) broad subject areas; (2) subdivisions of applied subject category; (3) library types; (4) research methods; and (5) research method percentages for given years. (MES)

This study describes the research articles published during 1980 in 41 core library journals and reports data for each source article: journal, research methodology, subject, total number of references, and number of references to journal articles. List of journals included in study and 12 tables are appended. (9 references) (EJS)

Review of research methodologies used in studies of online public access catalog (OPAC) users finds that a variety of research methodologies--e.g., surveys, transaction log analysis, interviews--have been used with varying degrees of expertise. It is concluded that poor research methodology resulting from limited training and resources limits the…

Describes a method for inducing a theoretical model of a series of events that occur in an ongoing process. A data analysis method that transforms narrative data into event histories is explained, a spreadsheet display that compares event histories is described, and future research is suggested. (17 references) (LRW)

Presents conceptual framework for library and information science research and analyzes research methodology that has application for information science, using as example results of study conducted by authors. Rationale for use of qualitative research methods in theory building is discussed and qualitative and quantitative research methods are…

Presents results of two-part mail survey (background information, modified version of short form of Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire measuring 21 dimensions of job satisfaction) designed to assess job satisfaction of male and female librarians in Nigeria. Review of literature, methodology, results, and conclusions are discussed. Ten references…

An examination of methodological referencing patterns for actual physics, engineering, and sociology literature for the year 1983, using a Dunn planned comparison approach, indicates that physics differs from both engineering and sociology, while no difference was found between engineering and sociology. References are given in each sample…

Reviews the use of propositional analysis in library and information science research. Evidence that different analysts produce similar judgments about texts and use the method consistently over time is presented, and it is concluded that propositional analysis is a reliable and valid research method. An example of an analysis is appended. (32…

Examines the application of the Fishbein and Ajzen model of attitude-behavior consistency to research in library and information science (LIS). The components of the model are explained, two examples of LIS research are presented, and there is a brief review of areas in LIS that could benefit from attitude-behavior consistency research. (Contains…