An analysis of research methods utilized in five top, practitioner-oriented LIS journals from 1980 to 2019

PurposeThis study examines research methods utilized in five practitioner-oriented research journals – College and Research Libraries, Information Technology and Libraries, Journal of the Medical Library Association, Library Resources and Technical Services and Reference and User Services Quarterly....

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of documentation Vol. 77; no. 5; pp. 1196 - 1208
Main Authors: Lund, Brady D., Wang, Ting
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: Bradford Emerald Publishing Limited 10.08.2021
Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Subjects:
Bibliometrics
Case studies
Coding
Content analysis
Data collection
Dissertations & theses
Doctoral Dissertations
Information Science Education
Information seeking behavior
Information technology
Interviews
Knowledge management
Libraries
Library and information science
Library associations
Library Services
Literature Reviews
Medical libraries
Medical research
Medical technology
Observation
Periodicals
Qualitative analysis
Qualitative research
Questionnaires
Research design
Research methodology
Researchers
Sampling
Science
Technical services
Trends
LIS research
Library and information science
Research methods
Content analysis
ISSN:0022-0418, 1758-7379
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:PurposeThis study examines research methods utilized in five practitioner-oriented research journals – College and Research Libraries, Information Technology and Libraries, Journal of the Medical Library Association, Library Resources and Technical Services and Reference and User Services Quarterly. The study fills gaps identified in existing content analyses of methods in practitioner-based LIS research publications.Design/methodology/approachBased on analysis standards and coding schemes supplied by the studies of Kalervo Jarvelin and Pertti Vakkari, as well as Heting Chu, this study identifies the primary research method utilized in 6,387 articles published in these five journals from 1980 to 2019. Trends in the frequencies with which various research methods were used are identified and presented using a series of visualizations.FindingsSignificant shifts have occurred in the research methods used by articles in these practitioner-based journals over the past four decades. Notably, the proportion of case studies has dropped substantially, particularly among College and Research Libraries and Journal of the Medical Library Association articles. Diversity of research methods utilized in articles has increased over time, with College and Research Libraries, in particular, having a significant proportion of articles in recent years that employ data analytic or qualitative approaches.Originality/valueWhile similar approaches have been used to examine research methods among other LIS journals, this study is the first to focus primarily on practitioner-based journals and document continuous change (as opposed to sampling a few years) over an extended, 40-year period.
Bibliography:ObjectType-Article-1
SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1
ObjectType-Feature-2
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ISSN:0022-0418
1758-7379
DOI:10.1108/JD-10-2020-0171