Theoretical Framework Research basis Theoretical Framework What is

Theoretical Framework Research basis

Theoretical Framework What is the central concept(s) integral to the study? (look within and outside LIS) n Connecting the study to theory: basic research n

Good Theory Advances knowledge in a discipline, guides, research, enlightens the discipline, helps the discipline mature and gain validation n Enables us to rise above the seemingly random confusion of everyday life to see patterns and to understand principles on which to base purposeful, productive action n Provides an important context n

Theory vs. Practice n We cannot do without theory. It will always defeat practice in the end for a quite simple reason. Practice is static. It does well what it knows. It has, however, no principle for dealing with what it doesn’t know … Practice is not well adapted for rapid adjustments to a changing environment. Theory is light footed, it can adapt itself to changed circumstances, think out fresh

n Out fresh combinations and possibilities, peer into the future. Theory provides a clear framework, administrative practice reduces to a series of meaningless acts, without purpose of direction. ¨ Source: Charles H. Granger, Harvard Business Review 42 (May-June 1964), p. 64.

Theory Provides patterns for the interpretation of data n Links one study to another n Supplies frameworks within which concepts and variables acquire special significance n Allows us to interpret the larger meaning of our findings for ourselves and others n ¨ Source: The elements of social scientific thinking, p. 40

Examples n Information needs ¨ information-seeking behavior n Effectiveness n Expectations ¨ service quality ¨ Satisfaction ¨ Teams/small groups n Success ¨ n Reference Transactions Standards ¨ RUSA, IL, Accreditation Value See Measuring your library’s value, Donald S. Elliott et al (ALA, 2007)

Theoretical Framework n Dalbello, M. (2009). Cultural dimensions of digital library development: Part II the cultural innovations of five European national libraries. Library Quarterly, 79(1). n Culture = National Culture + Organizational Culture + Professional Culture + Heterogeneous Tool Kit Culture

Logical Structure Who, what, when, where, how…

Logical Structure Explicitly addresses all the possible variables within a study n Identifies all of the important components n Is a menu of choices--no decisions are represented n The decisions = objectives n

Logical Structure (Components) Addresses the questions of n What (problem statement) n Who n Where n When n How (methods) n

Logical Structure Not always directly addressed within the published study, but must be addressed by the research during the planning stages. n Often possible to represent the logical structure through a diagram or model n

What n n Identifies the problem under study May help to brainstorm for contributing factors, causes and effects May have to operationalize terms= i. e. success, efficiency, effectiveness, etc. Some methods: ¨ Flow Chart ¨ Five Why’s ¨ Fishbone Diagram

Fishbone Diagram Dr. Kaoru Ishikawa Policies Materials People Problem Statement Process Technology

Who The group under study n Identifies the population n Identifies the sample within the population n May have to justify choices n

When n The time frame of the study ¨ Data collection ¨ Literature review ¨ Correcting for lapses Sets deadlines n Creates context n

Where Identify the environment n Sets parameters n

How Methodologies n How will data be collected n What is appropriate? n

User/Use Study Use n Students n Simmons College n When n How n

Use/Nonuse Study Where: one to many places How When: 1 -many times Library Use Non. Use Add Variables Students

E-book Use Where When How User (Search) Behavior Undergraduates variables

Objectives Indicate what was selected from the “menu” or logical structure

Components of Objectives n To ____verb n Object

Basic: to conceptualize n Applied: to test n Action: to describe n

Objectives n To “describe” identify define distinguish determine Depict etc. n To “relate: ” “compare” or “contrast” (relating applies to basic, applied, and action research)

Objectives To identify the attributes (requirements, responsibilities, qualifications, and salaries/benefits) of music librarians ¨ To determine the extent to which their responsibilities relate solely to music librarianship ¨ To compare the attributes listed most frequently in job advertisements with those attributes leading to the actual hiring of individual ¨ To compare the list of attributes identified in job advertisements by: geographical area, highest degree offered by the institution, institutional control (private vs. public) ¨

Evaluation Questions n n n How much? How many? How economical? How prompt? How accurate? How responsive? n n n How well? How valuable? How reliable? How courteous? How satisfied? -------------- n Accountability and Effectiveness = How well?

Lib ra ry n Collections/ services Community served: customers Facilities Technology and its use m C to us ers ns tio u t ti rs, e h Ot elf its i as

lf on ns ti titu ary Libr sto u C rs me O Collections/ services Community served: customers Facilities Technology and its use Examples: rs, e th How much? How many? How well? How satisfied? i as e its