Research Competence for Ph.D. Students in Library and Information Science

• Published in: Journal of education for library and information science 1995-01, Vol.36 (4), p.319-329
• Main Author: Powell, Ronald R.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Academic libraries; Competence; Curricula; Doctoral Degrees; Doctoral Programs; Doctoral students; Exact sciences and technology; Glass art; Historical Background; Information and communication sciences; Information management; Information science; Information science. Documentation; Information search; Institutional libraries; Interdisciplinary Approach; Librarianship; Library and information science; Library and information science. General aspects; Library Education; Library schools; Library students; Papers from the ALISE Annual Conference January 31, February 1-3, 1995 Doubletree hotel, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Postgraduate students; Professional education; Research design; Research Methodology; Research methods; Research Skills; Research Trends; Sciences and techniques of general use; Tables (Data); Technology Utilization; Theories, definitions and sources in information science; Trend Analysis
• ISSN: 0748-5786; 2328-2967

After presenting a brief history of doctoral programs in library and information science (LIS), this paper reviews the purpose of the Ph. D. degree, the types of research involved, the curricula of LIS doctoral programs, and the current trends in LIS research. A review of the literature on LIS doctoral programs indicates that the total amount of instruction required in research methods and the proportion of instruction required in cognate fields are increasing. Qualitative methods are clearly receiving more attention as well. Other trends include increases in interdisciplinary and technology-based research. The author concludes that the research methods curriculum for the Ph. D. should continue to emphasize basic research and that doctoral programs should graduate individuals prepared to do research that will generate new knowledge, build the theoretical base of library and information science, and contribute to the advancement of the profession.