LISc. 564: Research Methodology in Library and Information Science

Full Marks: 60

Credit: 3

Teach Hrs.: 48

Course Objectives

                 

The course aims to familiarize students with basic research methodology in library and information management. It presents a variety of research methodologies as well as to the relevant techniques of data collection, analysis of data statistical tools and techniques required for preparation of research project.

The objectives of this course are:

*   To teach the students how to carry out, interpret and present a research study.

*   To enable the students to undertake research project and to prepare the presentation of a dissertation.

*   To know the importance of research in the library and information fields.

*   This course deals with to develop skills in systematic analysis of library and information science.

Unit/Course Content                                                               Teaching Hrs.

1.  Research Methods in Library and Information Science:               12

Meaning and nature of research

Research in librarianship

Steps in research process

Types of research: scope and objective

Scientific research process: problem identification theoretical framework hypothesis formulation, research design, collection of data, data analysis and generalization, role of research in library and information centres, library research methods.

2.  Review of Literature:                                                                    6

Need of literature review, composing bibliography from different sources.

Reviewing literature in bibliography

Organizing library and internal findings

3.  Research Design:                                                                        10

Concept of research design

Types of research design: Historical research, descriptive research, developmental research, case study, comparative study, field study research, experimental research

The sample, hypothesis, reliability and validity, pilot study and pre-testing

4.  Data Collection and Data Analysis:                                             10

Source of information: Sampling, types of sampling, collection of primary and secondary data

Methods of data collection: Observation, survey method

Questionnaire construction, research interview: principles of interviewing

      Data Analysis: presentation of data, questionnaire coding and tabulating, contents analysis, tables and figures, statistical method of analyzing data

5.  Topic Selection and Formulation of Proposal:                             10

Topic selection, problem definition: research problem, research question and research hypothesis

Theoretical framework and submitting a research proposal

Research report writing: Research report, types of reports, procedures for writing

Format of the reports: Preliminaries title page, preface, abstract, acknowledgements, catalogue of the thesis, table of contents, lists of tables and figures, list of abbreviation

Body of the report: Introduction, review of literature, focus of the study, research methodology, analysis and presentation of data, summary, conclusions and recommendations, bibliography and appendices

                     

Suggested Readings:

Pant, Prem R.                           :         Social Science Research and Thesis Writing. 6th ed. Kathmandu, Buddha Academic Publishers and Distributors Pvt. Ltd. 2012.

Panda, B.D.                             :         Research Methodology for Library Science with Statistical Methods and Bibliometrics, New Delhi, Anmol Publications Pvt. Ltd., 1997.

Busha, Charles H. & Sephen P. Harter:       Research Methods in Librarianship: Techniques and Interpretation. New York. Academic Press, 1980

Howard K. Wolff & Prem R. Pant     :         Handbook for Social Science Research and Thesis Writing: Kathmandu, Nepal. 1975.

I. K. Ravichandra Rao              :         Quantitative Methods for Library and Information Science, New Delhi, Wiley Eastern Limited, 1985.

Krishna Kumar                        :         Research Methods in Library and Information Science. Vikas Publishing House, New Delhi, 1992

Koul,  Lokesh                          :         Methodology of Educational Research, New Delhi, Vikas Publishing House, 1972.

Maurico B. Line                       :         Library Surveys: An Introduction to the use, Planning Procedure and Presentation of Surveys. 2nd ed. London Bingly, 1982

Moore, Nick & Marton Hops   :         The Basics of Writing Reports Etceteras, London, Bingly, 1985

Stephen, Peter & Susan Hornby         :         Simple Statistics for Library and Information Professionals, 2nd edi. London Library Association Publishing, 1997.

Sardana, JL & RL Sehgal         :         Statistical Methods for Librarians. New Delhi, EEP, 1982

Gupta, S.P.                                        Statistical Methods, New Delhi, Sultan Chan & Sons, 2006.

Ranjit Kumar                           :         Research Methodology. 4th ed. New Delhi, Sage Publications, 2010.