Reports results of a pilot study and full survey of preservation/conservation concerns about the non-rare book collections at the Syracuse University libraries. The methodology is described, including physical characteristics of the collections that were examined and statistical analyses used. (CLB)

This study on the relationship between user preferences, library characteristics, and library use, employed a sample of 655 students in five medical schools. Findings, which support some traditional principles relating library characteristics to use, indicate that neither availability of audiovisual materials nor comfortable physical environment…

Describes the conspectus collection evaluation process and its utility to smaller libraries, as demonstrated by the Library and Information Resources for the Northwest project. The discussion includes the costs of this method in staff time, the value of a completed conspectus, and problems with the methodology. (13 notes with references) (CLB)

Investigates relationship between number of card catalog access points provided for a group of randomly selected education book titles in academic library and number of times the same titles circulated in specified period of time. Research method, sample selection, and data collection and analysis are discussed. Twelve references are provided.…

Discusses the need for standard and reliable sources of data on the costs of foreign library materials. A survey of price data available from vendors, bookselling associations, and librarians in France, Germany, and the Netherlands is described, and progress toward standardized price indexes is examined. (22 references) (CLB)

Libraries need solid information upon which to base collection development decisions. Specific evaluative methods for determining scope, access, and usefullness are described. Approaches used for data collection include analysis of interlibrary loan requests, comparison with major bibliographies, and analysis of accessibility through available…

The strategy was to identify user-related criteria for journal selection. Data were gathered from a use study, circulation and interlibrary statistics, and librarian and patron input. Two types of criteria developed considered actual use and user perception of use of importance. (Author/JAB)

Discussion of the use of surveys as a research tool focuses on the value of library surveys. Two types of surveys are described, the descriptive survey and survey research; and improving the quality of survey research is discussed, including planning, sample size, data collection techniques, and methods of statistical analysis. (18 references)…

This critique of prevalent conceptual methodologies in research in library administration examines the current research methodologies, relates them to the positivistic orientation of some social scientists, indicates why they are inappropriate, and suggests how research in library administration can be made more meaningful and relevant.…