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)

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…

Reports the results of a content analysis of research in library and information science based on articles in international journals. The classification scheme used to classify article topics is explained, the distribution of research articles and professional articles is compared, data collection methods are discussed, and research strategies are…

Discusses issues relating to the reliability, validity, utility, and information value of unobtrusive testing of library reference services; provides suggestions for practical applications of these criteria; applies study findings to library decision making and planning; and identifies topics for further methodological refinement. (Author/CLB)

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…

This study used citation analysis to determine whether the disciplines contributing to the journal literature of artificial intelligence (AI)--philosophy, psychology, linguistics, computer science, and engineering--share a common AI research base. The idea that AI consists of a completely interdisciplinary endeavor was refuted. (MES)

Discusses interlibrary lending (ILL) systems and explains the localization effect--called "the burgundy effect"--which results in a partial union catalog of serials locating a higher percentage of ILL requests than an up-to-date catalog over a number of years. An econometric model, the Weibull distribution, is used to calculate…

A citation analysis of English language journal literature in librarianship and information science was conducted to determine the degree to which authors from the United Kingdom (UK) and the United States cite foreign literature. Comparison of the results indicates that UK journals are more receptive to foreign literature. (17 references) (LRW)

Describes the development of an instrument for evaluating building-level school library media programs based on "Information Power," the American Association of School Libraries' guidelines for such programs. Data collection at an Oklahoma teleconference is described, the use of factor analysis is explained, construct validity is…

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…

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…

Examines 855 documents relevant to library and information science (LIS) and categorizes them according to whether they were written by persons inside or outside LIS and whether they were published inside or outside the LIS literature. Author affiliation, document type, audience, and subject content are covered. (50 references) (KRN)

An analysis of the Journal of the American Society for Information Science (1970-84) examined (1) the nature of information science; (2) the relationship between information and library science; (3) whether information science is a new branch of science; (4) the relationship between information science and scientific information; and (5) whether a…

Outlines the general techniques of Guttman scale analysis and briefly describes its uses in social science research. To illustrate the potential application to library science, a Guttman scale of restrictiveness in dealing with overdue books is developed and data from a 1986 survey of public libraries are fitted into the scale. (23 references)…