Competency L Angelo _ Roselle 1

Understand the nature of research, research methods and research findings; retrieve, evaluate
and synthesize scholarly and professional literature for informed decision-making by specific
client groups.
Introduction

It is imperative for all LIS professionals to understand the nature of research, research

methods, and research findings. Library and information science professionals use scholarly

research to develop theories, test hypotheses, examine relationships of variables, document

occurrences, and find out if outcomes can be traced back to specific actions. In addition,

librarians perform scholarly research to advance knowledge on information science topics,

validate decisions, and supply client groups with relevant and accurate information. Equally

important to understanding research purposes, methods, and findings are the actions taken to

gather the research; for this reason, librarians must also be able to conduct effective research by

retrieving, evaluating, and synthesizing research to aid in the informed decision-making process

of customers.

The two primary categories of research are 1) basic research and 2) applied research.

According to Powell (2008, p. 169), basic research refers to research that generates new

knowledge, and it has a tendency to be a “scientific method of inquiry;” however, applied

research leans towards the practical use of research with an emphasis on “solving of specific

problems in real situations.” Within these two categories of research are other important types of

research that are often used including action research, evaluative research, quantitative

research, and qualitative research. Each type of research has distinct qualities, and use of a

specific type of research is dependent upon the research study conducted. For instance, action

research, an applied type of research, would be useful to an academic librarian (the researcher)

needing to examine the internal practices in an academic library (e.g. instructional practices) in

an effort to improve instruction sessions. To sum up, entry into the library and information
Competency L Angelo _ Roselle 2

science profession necessitates that librarians be able to conduct efficient research and to

communicate research findings to colleagues, management, and customers.

Evidence

I am submitting four pieces of evidence to satisfy this competency. Each piece of

evidence was carefully selected to demonstrate my competency in understanding and applying

my research abilities within the LIS profession. Prior to enrolling at SJSU SLIS, I had written

several academic research papers; however, the research was often performed without careful

planning, organization, or evaluation. My current understanding and application of research is a

testament to the quality of SJSU SLIS instructors who frequently sought ways to instill in me

professionalism for research.

1) Action Research Proposal (Libr 285, Fall 2009)

This first piece of evidence is an action research proposal I wrote for my Library 285

class (Research Methods) in which I chose to assess archival repository staffing levels by

comparing the effectiveness of volunteers to paid employees. I selected this assignment as

evidence because it demonstrates my full competency for scholarly research, which is supported

by the fact that I used a systematic process for conducting research. Internal archives

management is what I consider as the specific client group for this assignment. Managers,

directors, and colleagues of my future organization may want me to investigate and improve our

organization’s practices, and this action research proposal could be used to help the organization

make informed decisions about staffing. Although the process was stringent, and my instructor

strictly enforced APA format, the end result was an action research proposal I am proud to have

developed, planned, and produced for a real LIS staffing problem. In addition, it was the in-depth

literature review of published research studies that helped me hone my skills at searching,
Competency L Angelo _ Roselle 3

retrieving, and analyzing scholarly journals. Also, I used online databases, and produced a

critical summary of the relevant literature for my research proposal. On the whole, it was this

research proposal that taught me how to write an introduction to my research, conduct a thorough

literature review, and describe research methods (i.e. participants, apparatus, and procedures) for

an intended course of action.

2) Action Research: Identifying Parts of a Research Article (Libr 285, Fall 2009)

The ability to understand research is contingent on a librarian’s understanding of all parts

of a research project; therefore, I have chosen an exercise I performed in which I identified seven

parts of an action research article. I was given a research case-study about a liaison librarian

program. My task was to identify several parts of a research article including the problem, the

research participants, data collection techniques, data analysis used, and the authors’

conclusions. As a result of this identification task, my competency for understanding the nature

of research and evaluating research studies has increased.

3) Statistic Exercises for Action Research Studies (Libr 285, Fall 2009)

In another assignment for Library 285, I had to become familiar with statistical research

terminology and use statistical techniques in order to facilitate my understanding of action

research. My course instructor assigned several excerpts from research journals that required me

to practice interpreting social and behavioral science research outcomes. It is my answers in this

assignment that I allow me to demonstrate my competency for evaluating and understanding

research findings. Even though statistics has never been my academic strong suit, the practical

application of statistical techniques from published case studies helped me realize the importance

of understanding and interpreting statistics in research. All in all, I learned how to evaluate data
Competency L Angelo _ Roselle 4

collection procedures, assess authors’ interpretations, describe relationships between variables,

retrieve information from statistical figures, and interpret trends in data.

4) Lexis-Nexis Research Assignment (Libr 244, fall 2008)

I took an Online Searching course (Library 244), which gave me hands-on experience

searching for information by methodically using search techniques to retrieve data from several

commercial online databases (Dialog, Lexis-Nexis, and Factiva). This Lexis-Nexis assignment is

one of five search exercises I conducted for Library 244, and I have selected it as evidence

because it shows my ability to prepare proper search strategies, retrieve scholarly sources, and

evaluate search methods. These skills come in handy when customers depend upon librarians for

timely and relevant information. Furthermore, my ability to retrieve information for a client

group is evidenced through this assignment (e.g. problem 3) when I was required to find

information for a client by answering search problems. In summary, I will say that prior to this

Online Searching course, I often conducted searching without a plan, usually by plugging in

some words here or there in a search box; however, after focusing on systematic information

retrieval techniques, I know that I have acquired an ability to effectively retrieve, evaluate, and

synthesize information for both colleagues and customers.

Conclusion

The library and information science profession uses research for a variety of purposes

including expanding knowledge in the field, and providing information to help users make

informed decisions. This statement of competency, and the evidence I have presented, shows my

understanding of research methods, my capacity for interpreting research outcomes, and an

ability to retrieve, evaluate, and synthesize scholarly and professional literature when assisting

customers. Furthermore, my abilities for this competency will be shown when I officially enter
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the profession. Research is used to find solutions to internal problems, seek out possible areas for

improvement, and increase knowledge. Furthermore, budgets, time, and resources dictate that

librarians use research techniques proficiently and effectively. The skills that I have used to meet

this competency are already being utilized. For example, this semester I am working as a student

assistant for SJSU Research Foundation, and conducting research for a social media and records

management grant. I am grateful for the knowledge I gained about research while a student as

SJSU SLIS, and I know that my skills are transferable to archives, public libraries, and even

special libraries.

References

Powell, R. (2008). Research. In K. Haycock & B.E. Sheldon (Eds), The portable MLIS: Insights
from the experts. (pp. 168-178). Westport, CT: Libraries Unlimited.