Neal-Schuman Publishers, Inc.

 

Library and information professionals are increasingly called upon to justify budgets, services, programs--sometimes even our very existence. This very practical and clear guide offers step-by-step guidance for using traditional research methods to help improve, validate, and ultimately advance the day-to-day work and purpose of libraries. Beck and Manuel’s straight-forward and understandable approach shows how different methodologies--focus groups, usability tests, action research, classroom research, bibliometrics--can be used to evaluate and enhance library functions, including:
• Instruction
• Web site usability
• Program development
• Content analysis
• User interactions
• And more
Each chapter outlines a particular methodology’s process, including: selecting the research topic, formulating questions, defining the population, gathering data, interpreting evidence, and telling the story. Specific advice for navigating legal and ethical concerns, avoiding incorrect inferences, overcoming communication obstacles, and working with institutional review boards is also included. This is an easy-to-use guide for practitioners and a down-to-earth introduction for library school students.

 I would recommend it without hesitation for several audiences. The text should be valuable for library students (regardless of their field), and deserves a look from busy librarians and information professionals as well.
-- ARBA Vol 39, 2008
 
A good tool for teaching the research method to library students as well as information professionals seeking to learn or relearn the process.
-- J Med Libr Assoc, October 2008
 

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The perfect book to help librarians find both the time and the expertise needed to conduct thorough and rigorous research....Useful for both novices and experts alike. The entire book could be useful as a textbook....For the expert this book offers the opportunity to explore other methodologies. Beck and Manuel have crafted a superb resource for beginning and veteran researchers alike.
-- The Journal of Academic Librarianship, May 2008
 
A guide to assist librarians to become more than what they are....Highly recommended for any library science collection and for the librarians themselves.
-- The Midwest Book Review, May 2008
 

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