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)

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.…

Reports findings of two research projects conducted at Temple University that investigated the usefulness of indexes as "memory assists" in locating specific items: title searching in the Social Science Index and the Humanities Index and author searches in those indexes and the Social Science Citation Index. Comparative performances are…

Data gathered in application of Paul Kantor's demand-adjusted shelf availability model to medium-sized academic library indicate significant differences in shelf availability when data are analyzed by last circulation date, acquisition date, and imprint date, and when they are gathered during periods of low and high use. Ten references are cited.…

Illustrates the use of factor analysis in interpreting large sets of data. Describes how factor analysis of a 19-question survey revealed faculty opinions about library policies for (1) computerized access; (2) circulation; (3) specialized collections/services; and (4) the general collection. A characterization of each category is followed by…

Examines the long-term retention of library-use skills through the utilization of various research techniques and discusses the appropriateness of quantitative and qualitative research methodology. Conclusions indicate that long-term possession of skills is more highly related to library-use instruction than inherent ability or academic diligence.…

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

This study explored the use of the monographic literature in British and American literary studies and compared its findings with those of studies of humanities journals. It was found that book references were the predominant tool for humanities scholarship and that manuscripts were cited almost as often as journal articles. (EJS)

Data from a survey of the teaching faculty at three academic institutions show that, of four variables that affect their perceptions and use of their libraries (institutional affiliation, subject area, academic rank, and length of time at institution), length of time proved most often statistically significant. (Author)

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)…

Presents results of study conducted at Physical Sciences Library, University of California, Davis, employing unobtrusive observation techniques to determine user browsing activity. Tables indicating circulation, observed browsers, total browsers, books removed, books replaced, time duration, and browsing frequency by time of day are appended. (EJS)

This study examined how researchers use literature constituting literary scholarship by analyzing three creative writers and three literary movements. Results support contention that humanistic scholarship and methods by which its characteristics are studied are distinct from methods used for analysis of information transfer in social sciences.…

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.…

Reports the findings of a survey of 226 faculty members in the social sciences at the University of Illinois concerning their use of serials. Information regarding their serial needs, patterns of use, and the usefulness of specified services is presented, and means of improving service despite budgetary restraints are discussed. (Author/JD)

Describes a citation study that examines the extent to which interdisciplinary research in librarianship is restricted by paradigms. The use of library science and sociology journal articles that address the sociological aspect of libraries is explained, and implications for library science are suggested. (14 references) (LRW)