Key Concepts: Intro Readings

Connaway & Powell Ch 1

2 Major Types of Research
Basic research - pure, theoretical, or scientific research, is primarily interested in deriving new knowledge and is at most, only indirectly involved with how that knowledge will be applied to specific, practical, or real problems.
It is, particularly if quantitative in nature, usually designed so as to produce new knowledge that is generalizable.
Applied research - emphasizes the solving of specific problems in real situations. Much of library-related research as been applied research. 

Quantitative Research - involves a problem-solving approach that is highly structured in nature and that relies on the quantification of concepts, where possible, for purposes of measurement and evaluations.
Qualitative Research -  focus on observing events from the perspective of those involved and attempt to understand why individuals behave as they do.

Research in the Library & Info field is not very well regarded.  Mostly because it was too heavily based on opinion, as opposed to investigation, to be considered research. Researchers worked in episodes as opposed to a growing large piece of research.  They also didn't build off one another enough.
Basic research is crucial if the field of LIS.  It's important because it is "to solve professional problems, develop tools and methods for analysis of organization, services, and behavior, to determine costs and benefits of our services, and most importantly, to establish or develop a body of theory on which to base our practice."

Wildemuth Ch 1

Evidence-based practice - a type of application of research results that improves the professional practice.
Two things need to happen for the information professions to profit from evidence-based practice:
          1) Effective research studies need to be completed
          2) and their results need to be applied to particular situations and questions that occur in practice.

Williamson Ch 1

Basic research (aka pure, fundamental or theoretical research) is primarily concerned with deriving new knowledge and is only indirectly involved with how that knowledge will be applied to specific, practical problems.

Applied research - concerned with solving specific problems in real life situations (more pragmatic).

Main Elements of Research Projects:
- research questions or objectives. Hypotheses (when appropriate)
- literature search/lit review/theoretical framework
- research design
    * description of sample
    * method of techniques for the research
- analysis of findings
- interpretation and reporting of findings including the conclusion