This conceptual article considers data used in the humanities and the human sciences, which are fundamentally different from data in other disciplines, such as the sciences or medicine. Data in the humanities are, however, equally important to study and understand. Humanists and others studying human artifacts often face the dual challenge of both…

This study investigated how library and information science (LIS) scholars who used qualitative data explained and justified their methods. It analyzed research tasks mentioned in the methods sections of 151 peer-reviewed LIS studies published from 2011 to 2015 and in a survey of their authors. The study assumed that professors of LIS would…

The purpose of this study is to gain a finer-grained picture and better understanding of the travel patterns of library users, and the activities, demographics, and other factors that affect library access. Previous studies of physical accessibility of public libraries, which have focused on library users' single-destination trips and their travel…

The Schools and Staffing Survey (SASS) is conducted by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) on behalf of the United States Department of Education in order to collect extensive data on American public and private elementary and secondary schools. SASS provides data on the characteristics and qualifications of teachers and…

More than two decades of debate since the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) adopted the term information literacy have been marked by ongoing criticism of its associated definitions and standards. Some scholars and practitioners have argued for a critical information literacy, which applies the precepts of critical pedagogy to…

This article highlights various literature covering a broad range of topics that are of interest to public services librarians, from collections and user services to one's own research and professional development. Although addressing many topics, these authors have all used or advocate for solid research methods and data analysis in their works,…

A monetary gratuity's effect on the return rate (RR) of a mail survey was studied. Half of the surveys mailed to 507 librarians in Arizona included a 1.00 dollar gratuity. The RR was 80% among those receiving the gratuity and 59% among controls. A survey's RR and consequent validity may be improved by including a gratuity. (SLD)

This investigation involving 98 participants within 11 departmental science libraries at the University of Illinois reports on use of random alarm mechanism sampling to analyze staff activities. Percent of time spent on various activities is identified and correlated to acquisition budget, staff size, collection size, and job classification.…

A questionnaire survey of 94 academic libraries holding membership in the Association of Research Libraries found that 15 percent require librarians to publish. (Author)

Describes two surveys administered to library professionals holding leadership positions to develop a list of perceived library leaders. Topics discussed include social structure; the locus of leadership; integration of the library profession; the degree of shared perception; and questions raised by the research, including methodology. (32…

Describes an unobtrusive study of the ability of professional librarians to deal with factual questions that was conducted at Illinois State University. Evaluation of the accuracy of responses is discussed, the responsiveness and helpfulness of librarians is examined, attitude scores are described, and implications for improving reference service…

Results of a survey assessing the views of individual academic librarians on benefits and responsibilities of faculty status show that not only are the librarians themselves divided over the question, but that their views frequently differ from those of their directors. The survey questionnaire and four references are included. (Author/EJS)

Based on a 1979 survey of 530 tenured librarians in 33 large academic libraries, this article examines characteristics of tenured librarians (sex, age, marital status, salary, degrees, rank, job titles), criteria and review procedures used in granting tenure, productivity before and after tenure, and mobility. Seven references are included. (EJS)

Results of study of United States academic librarians listed in "Who's Who in Library and Information Services" indicate that: men had greater chance of being deemed successful; one-third of academic entries had advanced degrees in addition to M.L.S.; successful academic librarians tended to work in Association of Research Libraries institutions.…

Describes practitioner-researchers and uses 24 articles from "Journal of Academic Librarianship" by academic librarians to illustrate research methods and a set of seven steps common to research that are also applicable to practice-based problem solving and project work. Highlights include action research; case study research; evaluation…