Social Justice Research in Library and Information Sciences: A Case for Discourse Analysis

Scholars have employed a variety of research methodologies and methods to explore, probe, and uncover ways in which social justice is enacted, embodied, supported, or not supported by researchers, educators, and practitioners in library and information science and services (LIS). Discursive psycholo...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Library trends 2015-09, Vol.64 (2), p.226-245
Main Author: Oliphant, Tami
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Community Relations
Critical discourse analysis
Discourse analysis
Empowerment
Ethnography
Fairclough, Norman (1941- )
Goodness of Fit
Information professionals
Information Science
Information Services
Libraries
Methods
Ontology
Power
Professions
Psychology
Research methodology
Researchers
Resistance (Psychology)
Social Action
Social justice
Social responsibility
Speech Acts
Studies
Users (Information)
Citations: Items that cite this one
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Summary:Scholars have employed a variety of research methodologies and methods to explore, probe, and uncover ways in which social justice is enacted, embodied, supported, or not supported by researchers, educators, and practitioners in library and information science and services (LIS). Discursive psychology as developed by social psychologist Jonathan Potter and critical discourse analysis as developed by Norman Fairclough are introduced as fruitful approaches to investigate the critical intersections of LIS and social justice. The theoretical development of social justice in LIS is discussed. Next, critical discourse analysis and discursive psychology are examined and then analyzed for goodness of fit with Kevin Rioux’s (2010) five underlying assumptions of social justice metatheory: (1) All human beings have an inherent worth and deserve information services that help address those needs; (2) People perceive reality and information in different ways, often within cultural or life role contexts; (3) There are many different types of information and knowledge, and these are societal resources; (4) Theory and research are pursued with the ultimate goal of bringing positive change to service constituencies; (5) The provision of information services is an inherently powerful activity. Drawing on the findings of the goodness of fit of Rioux’s metatheory and examples of discourse analytic studies in LIS, this article offers practical strategies for social justice researchers wanting to use critical discourse analysis or discursive psychology.
ISSN:0024-2594
1559-0682
1559-0682
DOI:10.1353/lib.2015.0046