IMS5036

Research and professional practice

Offered subject to approval

K Williamson

6 points - 1 hour per week in direct communication; 9 hours per week in directed reading, private study; 2 hours per week in assignment project work - First, second semester - Caulfield - Distance education - Prohibition: LAR5011

Objectives At the completion of this subject, students should understand the roles that research can and should play in professional practice, be able to demonstrate an ability to conceptualise workplace problems which warrant research, be able to conduct a literature review which canvases key issues or ideas relating to research questions, have an overview of the major social science research methods which are applicable to professional practice, understand how the practitioner can work with the researcher to solve workplace problems, be able to analyse and evaluate research results which are useful for the improvement of workplace practice and be able to write a proposal for a research project related to a specific issues and workplace setting.

Synopsis This subject examines the application of social science research methods and techniques to professional practice in a variety of information management environments including the corporate, government, educational and community sectors. Students will gain an understanding of how workplace problems can be conceptualised and how researchers can work with practitioners to provide solutions. Emphasis will be given to both quantitative and qualitative practice which can be used to explore the needs of users, to evaluate professional practice and to contribute to improvements in management and services. An overview of the techniques of market research, focus groups, literature review and sampling, as well as key methods such as survey, case study, experimental design, action research and ethnography, will be included. Students will learn to be critical users of research results and to write a proposal for a research project suited to a specific issue and workplace setting.

Assessment Major assignment: 70% - Minor assignment: 30%

Recommended texts

Centre for Electronic Recordkeeping and Research (http://www.lis.pitt.edu/~cerar)
Electronic records research and development Final Report of 1996 Conference held at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, June 28-29, 1996. Ann Arbor, Michigan, School of Information and Bentley Historical Library 1997 (http://www.si.umich.edu/~e-recs/)
McLure C H and Hernon P (eds) Library and information science research: Perspectives and strategies for improvement Ablex Press, 1991
Miles M B and Huberman A M Qualitative data analysis: An expanded sourcebook 2nd edn, Sage, 1994
Powell R R Basic research methods for librarians 2nd edn, Ablex Press, 1991
Zikmund W G Business research methods 4th edn, Dryden, 1994

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