Competency XII

demonstrate understanding of quantitative and qualitative research methods, the ability to

design a research project, and the ability to evaluate and synthesize research literature;

Introduction

For the purposes of this competency, I will be demonstrating my understanding of

quantitative and qualitative research methods, ability to design a research project, and the ability

to evaluate and synthesize research literature.

There are different modes and variations of professional research that a librarian may be

involved with. Librarians engage in library research activities daily when assisting patrons or

may be involved in research for the betterment of their library. Other librarians and information

professionals may be involved in short or long term applied research projects, where they are

seeking to solve specific issues. Alternatively, there are also information professionals

conducting basic research in order to formulate new knowledge in their area of expertise.

Librarians may be involved in both methodologies, dependent on the their information

environment and its needs.

Research is also often thought of as a process that leads to the dependable resolution of

problems or things about which we want to know more. (Powell, 2008)

Ideally, this research leads to solutions in the library and information sciences.

Artifact I

For the first piece of evidence for this competency I am submitting the final part of a

group research project done for Professor Chenoweths Research Methods course. This evidence
proves that I demonstrate understanding of quantitative and qualitative research methods, the

ability to design a research project, and the ability to evaluate and synthesize research literature.

This study was conducted with the goal of providing the Meade County Public Library

with an assessment of their current website, to identify areas for improvement and to provide the

library with an evaluation tool to assess the quality of their new site.

I was involved in all aspects of this research project including preparing for and

collecting data, a literature review, graphical representations of the data collected and the

development of and testing of the assessment tool. I also created a Wikispace for our group to

collaborate through and managed the meetings and schedule for our group.

The research was conducted over the course of a semester and lead to qualitative and

quantitative data. Through the process of developing and carrying out this project, our team

accumulated a wealth of knowledge associated to the factors and best practices for the design

and content of high performing public library websites.

We collected quantitative and qualitative data for the project because both were valuable

to the study. We conducted a survey of employees from Meade County Public Library to gather

a set of criteria to assess library websites. With that information we were able to collect

qualitative data on fourteen peer libraries by ranking them on the criteria. Using the data

collected we created a tool for Meade County Public Library to assess their new website prior to

launch.

On the recommendation of Professor Chenoweth, we submitted our paper to the SLIS

Student Research Journal. Unfortunately, it was rejected due to the sample size for the survey

being too small, the writing being considered choppy and the number of the references cited too
few. If I were to do this research project again I would conduct the research with more

participants over a longer period of time., Having more time would have allowed us to explore

additional references. In addition, I think it would have been better for one of us to do all the

writing. We split the writing amongst the three of us and our written project would have been

more cohesive, if written in the same style, as by one person.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1NnQW_0D8UCaz9sJdza3XwIeee2bHjXqlYTgbG_Bq
9W0/edit?usp=sharing

Artifact II

The second piece of evidence for this competency is a paper that I completed for

Professor Chenoweths Research Methods course. This evidence proves that I demonstrate

understanding of quantitative and qualitative research methods and the ability to design a

research project.

In the paper I explore and define the Plan Do Check Act (PDCA) model, a qualitative

research process developed by Walter Shewart and Dr. Edwards Deming. In addition, I analyze

the strengths and weaknesses of PDCA for research and discuss a demonstration in which PDCA

was used to improve business services for the Sladen Library and Center for Health Information

Resources at Henry Ford Hospital. PDCA was used as a way to improve on their database.

If I were to write this paper today, I would discuss the importance of preparation for a

research project in more detail. Since most research methods call for some form of evaluation

beforehand, I think its an important topic that I could have discussed further as relevant to the

PDCA.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/12YSAfV6GCmbDUH6KLd4GnOF8JlFHLf4emgsEj

DsmTzU/edit?usp=sharing

Conclusion

In conclusion, I have submitted two pieces of evidence that demonstrate my

understanding of quantitative and qualitative research methods, the ability to design a research

project, and the ability to evaluate and synthesize research literature. The Meade County Public

Library research project in particular, reflects that I can apply my knowledge of research

methods for the benefit of a library.

 References

Hirsh, S. (2015). Information services today: an introduction. Lanham: Rowman &

Littlefield.

Sheldon, B. E., & Haycock, K. (2008). The portable MLIS: insights from the experts.
Westport,CT: Libraries Unlimited.