RESEARCH IN LIBRARIANSHIP REPORT WRITING 16 17 July

RESEARCH IN LIBRARIANSHIP & REPORT WRITING 16 & 17 July 2012 UPSI Research in Librarianship and Report Writing Nor Edzan Che Nasir Library Universiti Malaya

OUTLINE • • Biodata Introduction Research in Librarianship Sources of Information Where to Publish Funding References

BIODATA • Diploma in Fisheries – ITM • B. Sc. (Hons) – USM – Conversion rate of Tilapia mossambica • PGD Info Mgmt (Lib’ship) UNSW • M. Sc (Info Studies) – LMU – Use of CD ROM databases by Malaysian postgraduate students in Leeds • Ph. D – UM – Modeling an information literacy programme for undergraduates: a soft systems methodology approach

• Librarian in USM from 1983 & UM from 1991 • Started writing in UM as a group – 2 bibliographies, 1 listing of project papers/dissertation/listing • Started writing articles in 1996 after returning from M. Sc – 2 articles – 1 on dissertation and 1 an assignment done in M. Sc. • Academician in 1999 – wrote journal articles and conference papers – based on research • Chief Librarian – continue writing but mostly conference papers and ppt slides

INTRODUCTION • “The history of research in “library science” in Japan dates back to the late 1800 s when libraries were imported from the West, whereas research in “library and information science (LIS)” started in 1967. This article outlines a brief overview of LIS research in Japan after 1967, especially in recent years. LIS research in Japan is divided into two prominent types: one is carried out by researchers in universities, and the other by library practitioners. Both of them are further diversified according to library types and subjects. ” • National Diet Library, 2007

• Research in librarianship in Malaysia – librarians – none at all – LIS academics and postgraduates – yes – librarians and LIS academics yes • However, all of us have done research either at undergraduate level and/or postgraduate level • Why?

• Why are librarians not conducting research? (Versoza, 2007) – lack of research mindedness – overwhelmed by the professional literature – research jargon discourages librarians from reading the research literature – need to keep up with emerging information, technology and service responsibilities – inadequate education/training in research methods – perception that research is lacking in practical applications or mission orientation – funding – new resistance to change in research ideas

• Why do we need to conduct research? (Versoza, 2007) – improve problem solving and decision making in the workplace – contribute to career advancement for librarians – improve ability to think critically and analytically, improve staff morale, and enhance the library’s status within its community – create new knowledge and thereby contribute to the growth of LIS as a profession or discipline – make library professionals critical consumers of the research literature – better equip librarians to provide optimal information services to researchers in other fields.

• Importantly : • We have to document about our library – – – History Development People Activities Success stories • Where? – Annual Report – Newspapers – Journals – LINK, Jurnal PPM

RESEARCH IN LIBRARIANSHIP • Research is defined as systematic gathering of data and information and its analysis for advancement of knowledge in any subject • Research attempts to answer intellectual and practical questions • Types of research – Applied versus Fundamental Research – Descriptive versus Analytical Research – Qualitative versus Quantitative Research – Conceptual versus Empirical Research

Applied – Fundamental Research • Applied research is used to solve problems – use basic research, knowledge, theories to solve problems • Fundamental or basic or pure research is undertaken to increase knowledge, no direct benefit, research for research sake, conducted to satisfy curiosity – basic research is purely theoretical to increase our understanding of certain phenomena or behavior but does not seek to solve any existing problem.

Descriptive – Analytical Research • Descriptive research attempts to determine, describe, or identify what is, – The descriptive research uses description, classification, measurement, and comparison to describe what phenomenon are. – Examining the usage pattern of e-books • Analytical research attempts to establish why it is that way or how it came to be. – The analytical research usually concerns itself with cause effect relationships. – Identifying the reasons why students are not using e-books

Quantitative – Qualitative Research • Qualitative research is used to explore and understand people's beliefs, experiences, attitudes, behaviour and interactions. – It generates non numerical data – A user’s description of how difficult it is to use online databases • Quantitative research generates numerical data or data that can be converted into numbers. – The number of online databases a user and the amount of downloads

Research Methodology – Research Methods • Research methodology deals with general approaches or guidelines to conducting research. – provides the principles for organizing, planning, designing, and conducting research – it does not provide the details on how to conduct a specific, individual research. • Research methods provide the specific details of how one accomplishes a research task – procedures and methods

Research Methods in Librarianship • Kellie, 2012. • Graphs – Quantitative methods present information visually for the researcher. Graphs typically answer the question of "how often? " or "how many? “ – The use of library patron statistical data within graphs, such as how many patrons visit a library on a given day, helps the library determine operation hours.

• Bibliometrics – the measurement of interrelated aspects of writing, publication, and usage, including citation analysis. – determine the popularity or influence of a specific author or text which will help the library to determine if a specific text is worth buying. • Observation – uses the senses to obtain information about a particular human behavior or object. Provides the opportunity for raw, in depth data collection – by observing a library patron's frustration with a certain new technology, observation may conclude that the library needs to provide additional instruction for the patrons.

• Interviews – gathers information from conversations and questions between a researcher and subject. – examines the "why? " and "how? " behind a problem or human behavior. – interviewing rural library directors regarding the specific issues a rural library may face during a difficult economy. • Surveys – carefully constructed questions. – determine the opinions of library patrons regarding new library hours or how often a patron participates in library events.

• Focus Groups – assemble focus groups for the purpose of obtaining opinions, feedback or beliefs about a particular product or idea. – a focus group may provide feedback about a possible new library reference service. • Statistics – Collection and analysis of numerical data for research which offer a tool for librarians to predict trends within library science – Growing use of electronic databases within academic libraries during a specific time period.

Group Work

SOURCES OF INFORMATION • Databases – – SAGE Research Methods Online (SRMO) LISA: Library and Information Science Abstracts Emerald Library Literature & Information Science Full Text (H. W. Wilson) • Institutional repositories – General – Subject specific • LIScholar • e lis

WHERE TO PUBLISH • Non refereed journals – Kekal Abadi – Jurnal PPM – Sekitar • Refereed journals – Malaysian Journal of Library and Information Science – Others – search in Scopus or WOS

FUNDING • Internal – Library – University • External – – – Perpustakaan Negara Malaysia PPM Kementerian Pengajian Tinggi Kementerian Kebudayaan, Kesenian & Warisan FELDA

Application for Funding • Obtain and fill in forms • Write a proposal – Introduction – Literature Review – Methodology – Expected outcomes – Costing – Timeline/Gantt Chart

REFERENCES • Kellie. G, 2012. Research Methods in Library Science. Available at: http: //www. ehow. com/list_6920707_research methods library science. html • National Diet Library, 2007. Research in library and information science in Japan. CDNLAO Newsletter, 60. Available at: http: //www. ndl. go. jp/en/cdnlao/newsletter/060/601. html • Versoza, A. M. 2007. Research in Librarianship: Challenges, Competencies, and Strategies. PLAI STRLC Seminar Workshop, 9 10 October 2007, Laguna. Available at: http: //paarl. wikispaces. com/file/view/Research_in_L ibrarianship_keynote_speech. pdf

YESTERDAY … • • 4 possible topics Usage of print collection Print book budget Usage of electronic dbases & journals • Competency of librarians • Others? ?

OTHER TOPICS?

REPORT WRITING • • • Different format for different writings Report Conference paper Journal article Lots of instructions, guidelines, recordings on report writing

REPORT – (U of Canberra, 2012) • • Aims to inform clear and succinct Easy to read Professional in its presentation Structure – – – – – Title page* Table of contents List of abbreviations and/or glossary Executive summary/abstract Introduction* Body* Conclusion* Recommendations Bibliography Appendices

• Abstract (Summary or Executive Summary) – summary of the report – one sentence (or so) for every main section of your report eg. include: • the context of the research • the purpose of the report • the major findings (you may need several sentences here) • the conclusions • the main recommendations • Write the abstract after you have written the report.

• Introduction – Give enough background information to provide a context for the report. – State the purpose of the report. – Clarify key terms and indicate the scope of the report (ie what the report will cover).

• Body - content depends on the purpose of the report, primary or secondary research. • Primary research based on own observations and experiments include: – Literature review (what other people have written about this topic. The literature review should lead towards your research question. – Method summarises what you did and why use past tense. – Findings or results describes what you discovered, observed, etc, in your observations and experiments use the past tense. – Discussion discusses and explains your findings and relates them to previous research use the present tense to make generalisations.

• Secondary research based on readings only include: – Information organised under appropriate topics with sub headings • synthesise material from different sources under topic headings. – Analysis/discussion of the sources you are reporting • Conclusion – Sum up the main points of the report – Conclusion should clearly relate to the objectives of your report RESULTS BEYOND ACTIVITIES ANALYTICAL AND NOT DESCRIPTIVE

CONFERENCE PAPERS (Carpenter, 2010 • Select Your Topic – What are the types of papers/posters/presentations? – What topics are listed in the Call for Papers? – What aspect(s) of your work would be of interest to this audience? – What do abstracts and papers for this conference look like (check out past conference proceedings)? – Do you know anyone who has had a paper accepted for this conference? – Consider adding a co author

• Writing and Submitting Your Abstract – Re read the requirements (word count, format, font, etc. ) in the Call for Papers. – Briefly summarize the context, problem, approach, solution, future work (save details for the paper). – Highlight what is interesting about your work. – Use a professional tone and correct mechanics. – Use a descriptive and interesting title. – Have a mentor/colleague review your abstract for clarity and correctness. – Submit your abstract well before the deadline

• Writing and Submitting Your Paper – Your paper should include: Abstract, Introduction, Background, Main Body, Future Work, Conclusion, Acknowledgements, and References. – Follow the requirements format, length, etc. – Use pictures, charts, tables, lists to communicate information, examples, data, results (number & title). – Start early, write several drafts, have a mentor or colleague review the paper, submit early. – Use a professional tone and correct mechanics.

• Reviews and How to Use Them – Some conference review papers and some don’t – Reviews are an opportunity to improve your paper, as well as your overall communication skills. – Reviews reflect the personal tastes of the reviewer. – Some reviewers are more professional/helpful than others. – Share your reviews with a trusted mentor if you need assistance responding to them. – Submit your revised paper early

• General Tips – You can submit papers on different aspects of your project to different conferences, but not the same paper to more than one conference – Know the prestige/acceptance rate of the conference/papers – don’t aim too high or too low. – Determine if a poster vs. a paper is the best fit. – Submit a poster & a paper (not on same topic), attend a workshop, volunteer to moderate a session.

JOURNAL ARTICLES • In order to get an article published you first must write one. • Study the most timely topics in the field – uniqueness, future minded ness, and current interests are usually the best bet. • Study the journals all provide clues to the type of content areas or topics being accepted. Main point: Select the one seemingly best suited for your manuscript. • Study the techniques of writing and the writing techniques ex pected for a specific journal.

• Get it written write a first draft without worry about correctness and exact wording, let it rest for a few days, then rewrite and polish it. Ask others to read for feedback. • The lead to an article is very important – it needs to grab a reader’s attention, so spend lots of time in the development process. • Submit a perfect copy to the journal; it should be word processed, clean, appropriate stylistically, etc.

• Never submit a manuscript to more than one publisher at a time • Understand adhere to the stylistic guidelines required by any periodical to which you intend to submit a manuscript – – – – Title Abstract Introduction Materials & methods Results Discussion Conclusion

• Report writing • http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=A FGNKJruxdg • The literature review • http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=j. K L 2 pd. Rmwc 4&feature=related

REFERENCES • Carpenter, Jenna P. 2010. How to Write and Submit a Conference Paper. Available at: http: //www. latech. edu/coes/assets/owise/How_to_ Write Submit_a_Conference_Paper. pdf • Hiemstra, Roger. 2007. Tips for Greater Success in Writing Journal Articles. Available at: http: //www distance. syr. edu/writingtips. html • University of Canberra. 2012. Report writing. Available at: http: //www. canberra. edu. au/studyskills/writing/repor ts