Journal of Librarianship and Information Science, Ahead of Print.
Use of appropriate research methodology among authors is essential to produce high quality research. Practical operability or smooth implementation of research methodology and methods must be maintained because lapses in the implementation may hamper research and quality. Hurdles experienced by authors in the operability of research design may negatively impact the conclusions. Researchers need to be aware about the issues arising during the process of research and they must adopt certain steps to avoid such issues. The current study explored the hurdles, negative impacts and relevant measure to streamline the operability of research process. The current empirical research used qualitative design. Interview method was used for exploring author’s views. Pakistani LIS authors were selected for interview from those who have published more than one article during the period 2001 and 2016. Majority of the respondents experienced hurdles in the operability of selected research methodology. Few respondents faced problems because they selected inappropriate research method for the research problem, questions or phenomenon. Selection of irrelevant population and faulty sampling also create disturbances in the smooth execution of research process. Use of faulty data collection tool resulted in the collection of irrelevant, meaningless, neutral, or over rated data. Lack of access to data and its inventory nature and complexity of data analysis procedure also affected smooth operability. Hurdles created negative impact on the quality of research and compromised the accuracy, reliability and validity of results. Multiple strategies were proposed by authors to avoid such hurdles. The current study is an effort to help authors gain an understanding for better implementation and subsequently to make more informed decisions for selection of research methodology and methods.
Author Archives: Ahsan Ullah
Growth, subject areas, and application of research methods in user studies: A content analysis of articles produced by Pakistani authors
Journal of Librarianship and Information Science, Ahead of Print.
Information science profession is concerned with information user and every development in this field has been designed to make it easier for the user to access documents or information. The current study examined user studies to provide understanding about the users, growth in user studies, topics, and methods of user studies. A content analysis method has been adopted and empirical research articles produced by Pakistani authors during the period 2001–2016 have been examined. Out of 518 empirical articles, 185 user studies were selected for examining users, subject and methods. Growth in user studies research was lower from the period 2001 to 2008 but number of studies increased significantly after 2008. Dominant majority of user studies collected data from educational institutions. Academicians and students were the most frequently studied users. Bureaucrats, judges, and other officials have not been examined for elicitation of their needs in spite of the fact that libraries have been established with government departments and courts. In respect of research areas of user studies, information needs and seeking behavior, use and skills of internet and social media, use of electronic resources and satisfaction of users with library services constitute 90% of user studies research. With respect to use of research methodology, quantitative approach (78%) is popular in user studies followed by mixed methods (10%), qualitative (8%), and multimethod (4%). More than one method is used in 14% user studies research. In case of frequency of research methods, questionnaire (72%) is the dominant method followed by interview (14%). The current study is unique because it identified popular topics and methods in user studies research.
Information science profession is concerned with information user and every development in this field has been designed to make it easier for the user to access documents or information. The current study examined user studies to provide understanding about the users, growth in user studies, topics, and methods of user studies. A content analysis method has been adopted and empirical research articles produced by Pakistani authors during the period 2001–2016 have been examined. Out of 518 empirical articles, 185 user studies were selected for examining users, subject and methods. Growth in user studies research was lower from the period 2001 to 2008 but number of studies increased significantly after 2008. Dominant majority of user studies collected data from educational institutions. Academicians and students were the most frequently studied users. Bureaucrats, judges, and other officials have not been examined for elicitation of their needs in spite of the fact that libraries have been established with government departments and courts. In respect of research areas of user studies, information needs and seeking behavior, use and skills of internet and social media, use of electronic resources and satisfaction of users with library services constitute 90% of user studies research. With respect to use of research methodology, quantitative approach (78%) is popular in user studies followed by mixed methods (10%), qualitative (8%), and multimethod (4%). More than one method is used in 14% user studies research. In case of frequency of research methods, questionnaire (72%) is the dominant method followed by interview (14%). The current study is unique because it identified popular topics and methods in user studies research.