ERIC Number: EJ994117
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2005-Dec
Pages: 19
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0004-8623
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Available Date: N/A
Informing Decision-Making in Libraries: Informetric Research as Input to LIS Education and Practice
Davis, Mari; Wilson, Concepcion S.; Horn, Anne
Australian Academic & Research Libraries, v36 n4 p195-213 Dec 2005
Findings from informetric research represent an important background resource to add to the mix of information useful for resolving difficult and ongoing problems in specific library environments or information service settings. This paper provides examples of informetric research that can be useful input to decision-making in the field of library management and information service provision. This overview takes four of the challenges that Michael Buckland outlined for library research as a way of guiding the discussion of ways that informetric work can be used to inform library decision-making.1 References are made to relevant informetric work undertaken or conducted in Australia, by Australian researchers, or with Australian data. Informetrics includes both quantitative and qualitative methods, which when used in combination can provide a rounded set of findings that has great validity for management, policy and service applications. Quantitative methodologies are generally based on bibliometric techniques, such as mining and analysis of data from various bibliographic and textual databases. Qualitative methods include survey, case study and historical approaches. Used in combination, each set of findings adds richness and other perspectives to an analysis. (Contains 4 figures and 46 notes.)
Descriptors: Information Services, Foreign Countries, Library Administration, Library Research, Bibliometrics, Case Studies, Surveys, Research Methodology, Methods Research, Decision Making, Inferences, Research Problems, Library Services, Research Needs, Research Utilization, Educational Practices
Australian Library and Information Association. P.O. Box 6335 Kingston 2604, Australia. Tel: +61-2-6215-8222; Fax: +61-2-6282-2249; e-mail: enquiry@alia.org.au; Web site: http://www.alia.org.au
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Australia
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A