This established text is the only introduction to qualitative research methodologies in the field of library and information management. Its extensive coverage encompasses all aspects of qualitative research work from conception to completion, and all types of study in a variety of settings from multi-site projects to data organization. The book features many case studies and examples, and offers a comprehensive manual of practice designed for LIS professionals. This new edition has been thoroughly revised and includes three new chapters. It has been updated to take account of the substantial growth in the amount and quality of web-based information relevant to qualitative research methods and practice, and the many developments in software applications and resources. The authors have identified a clear need for a new chapter on the evaluation of existing research, as a gateway into new research for information professionals. The final chapter, 'Human Resources In Knowledge Management', takes the form of a model case study, and is an 'ideal' qualitative investigation in an information setting. It exemplifies many of the approaches to qualitative research discussed in earlier chapters. Readership: Directed primarily at the beginner researcher, this book also offers a practical refresher in this important area for the more experienced researcher. It is a useful tool for all practitioners and researchers in information organizations, whether libraries, archives, knowledge management centres, record management centres, or any other type of information service provider.

The Role of Information Professionals in the Knowledge Economy: Skills, Experiences, Practices and Strategies presents the tools that are necessary for the acquisition and development of a scientific culture. The work and profile of the information professional is no longer limited to the world of libraries. In countries with developing and peripheral economies that are seeking to reduce dependence on knowledge generated by rich countries it is necessary to develop and foster new professional profiles with high expertise in knowledge generation and management in order to support such paradigm shifts. This comprehensive book presents the case for this paradigm shift and is an ideal resource for information professionals who are interested in new avenues of exploration. - Promotes the idea that an information professional is the right person to offer support in the knowledge economy - Provides guidance on how to provide and develop a scientific culture in an institution - Identifies information competencies that are important for information managers in scientific communication - Redefines the profile of professional information graduates and identifies this new skillset as a job opportunity

The goal of any research assessment is to evaluate the value or quality of the research in comparison to other research. As quality is highly subjective and difficult to measure, citations are used as a proxy. Citations are an important part of scholarly communication and a significant component of research evaluation, with the assumption being that highly cited work has influenced the work of many other researchers and hence it is more valuable. Recently we have seen new online data sources being researched for this purpose and disruptive ideas with the power to change research assessment, and perhaps even science as a whole, have been born. Altmetrics is the new research area that investigates the potential of these new data source as indicators of the impact that research has made on the scientific community and beyond, and thus possibly also as indicators of the societal impact of research. This book will present some of these new data sources, findings from earlier altmetrics research, and the disruptive ideas that may radically change scholarly communication. - Presents some of the key ideas and innovations in earlier research that have been driving the evolution from bibliometrics to webometrics, and with the advent of social media to altmetrics - Discusses the shortcomings and pitfalls of bibliometrics in research evaluation and the potential of altmetrics to overcome some of these shortcomings - Presents some of the most important data sources of altmetrics, the aggregators, and the different stakeholders - Reviews current research about altmetrics and discusses possible future trends - Presents a way to measure and aggregate altmetrics according to the level of impact or type of impact they represent

Reflecting the rapidly changing information services environment, the third edition of this bestselling title offers updates and a broader scope to make it an even more comprehensive introduction to library management. Addressing the basic skills good library managers must exercise throughout their careers, this edition includes a completely new chapter on management ethics. Evans and Alire also pay close attention to management in "new normal" straitened economic conditions and offer updates on technological topics like social media. Among the areas covered are The managerial environment, including organizational skill sets, the importance of a people-friendly organization, and legal issues Managerial skills such as planning, accountability, trust and delegation, decision making, principles of effective organizational communication, fostering change and innovation, quality control, and marketing Key points on leadership, team-building, and human resource management Budget, resource, and technology management Why ethics matter Tips for planning a library career, with a look at the work/life debate

This volume comprises papers prepared for the 8th World Conference on Continuing Professional Development (Bologna, Italy, 18-20 August 2009). Within the broad theme of creating a positive work environment for a multi-generational workforce in library and information organizations, the conference addresses managing between and across generations, mentoring and coaching, attracting people to the profession and developing a new generation of leaders, re-skilling and transferability of skills, succession planning and passing on knowledge.

This book covers the key aspects of information architecture: core elements of information management, indexing, cataloguing and classification - organising and recording information in the digital environment. Information Architecture for Information Professionals also focuses on design, specifically user-centred design: designing information systems that support the needs of users, by providing attractive, intuitive interfaces that support a range of information tasks and accommodate a range of individual resources. - Aimed at information professionals - existing texts in this emerging area are primarily aimed at web managers - A straight forward introduction to the area

Ivor Goodson gives an examination of the state of professional knowledge in teaching and teacher education. It argues that a more active notion of teachers' professional knowledge can, and should, be explored and consolidated by work which focuses on theteacher's life and work using more reflective modes.

The seventh edition of this frequently adopted textbook features new or expanded sections on social justice research, data analysis software, scholarly identity research, social networking, data science, and data visualization, among other topics. It continues to include discipline experts' voices. The revised seventh edition of this popular text provides instruction and guidance for professionals and students in library and information science who want to conduct research and publish findings, as well as for practicing professionals who want a broad overview of the current literature. Providing a broad introduction to research design, the authors include principles, data collection techniques, and analyses of quantitative and qualitative methods, as well as advantages and limitations of each method and updated bibliographies. Chapters cover the scientific method, sampling, validity, reliability, and ethical concerns along with quantitative and qualitative methods. LIS students and professionals will consult this text not only for instruction on conducting research but also for guidance in critically reading and evaluating research publications, proposals, and reports. As in the previous edition, discipline experts provide advice, tips, and strategies for completing research projects, dissertations, and theses; writing grants; overcoming writer's block; collaborating with colleagues; and working with outside consultants. Journal and book editors discuss how to publish and identify best practices and understudied topics, as well as what they look for in submissions.

As the 21st century begins, we are faced with opportunities and challenges of available technology as well as pressured to create strategic and tactical plans for future technology. Worldwide, IT professionals are sharing and trading concepts and ideas for effective IT management, and this co-operation is what leads to solid IT management practices. This volume is a collection of papers that present IT management perspectives from professionals around the world. The papers seek to offer new ideas, refine old ones, and pose interesting scenarios to help the reader develop company-sensitive management strategies.

This book provides invaluable guidance for thinking through and planning a qualitative study. Rather than offering recipes for specific techniques, master storyteller Robert Stake stimulates readers to discover "how things work" in organizations, programs, communities, and other systems. Topics range from identifying a research question to selecting methods, gathering data, interpreting and analyzing the results, and producing a well-thought-through written report. In-depth examples from actual studies emphasize the role of the researcher as instrument and interpreter, while boxed vignettes and learning projects encourage self-reflection and critical thinking. Other useful pedagogical features include quick-reference tables and charts, sample project management forms, and an end-of-book glossary. After reading this book, doctoral students and novice qualitative researchers will be able to plan a study from beginning to end.