Applications of Social Research Methods to Questions in Information and Library Science

Acknowledgments ix

Part I Introduction

1 Using Research Results to Improve Practice in the Information Professions Barbara M. Wildemuth 3

Part II Research Questions in Information and Library Science

2 Developing a Research Question Barbara M. Wildemuth 11

3 Questions Originating in Library and Information Practice Barbara M. Wildemuth 21

4 Descriptions of Phenomena or Settings Barbara M. Wildemuth 28

5 Testing Hypotheses Barbara M. Wildemuth 34

6 Questions Related to Theory Chad Morgan Barbara M. Wildemuth 41

Part III Research Designs and Sampling

7 Case Studies Sotigphan Choemprayong Barbara M. Wildemuth 51

8 Namralistic Research Abe J. Crystal Barbara M. Wildemuth 60

9 Longitudinal Studies Barbara M. Wildemuth 71

10 Delphi Studies Lili Luo Barbara M. Wildemuth 81

11 Quasi-experimental Studies Carolyn Hank Barbara M. Wildemuth 91

12 Experimental Studies Barbara M. Wildemuth Leo L. Cao 103

13 Mixed Methods Barbara M. Wildemuth 114

14 Sampling for Extensive Studies Barbara M. Wildemuth 123

15 Sampling for Intensive Studies Barbara M. Wildemuth Leo L. Cao 136

16 Studying Special Populations Carol L. Ferryman Barbara M. Wildemuth 145

Part IV Methods for Data Collection

17 Historical Research Chad Morgan Barbara M. Wildemuth 155

18 Existing Documents and Artifacts as Data Barbara M. Wildemuth 165

19 Visual Data Collection Methods Barbara M. Wildemuth 173

20 Transaction Logs Laura Sheble Barbara M. Wildemuth Kathy Brennan 185

21 Think-aloud Protocols Sanghee Oh Barbara M. Wildemuth 198

22 Direct Observation Barbara M. Wildemuth 209

23 Participant Observation Barbara M. Wildemuth 219

24 Research Diaries Laura Sheble Leslie Thomson Barbara M. Wildemuth 228

25 Unstructured Interviews Yan Zhang Barbara M. Wildemuth 239

26 Semi structured Interviews Lili Luo Barbara M. Wildemuth 248

27 Focus Groups Barbara M. Wildemuth Mary Wilkins Jordan 258

28 Survey Research Carolyn Hank Mary Wilkins Jordan Barbara M. Wildemuth 272

29 Measuring Cognitive and Affective Variables Barbara M. Wildemuth 284

30 Developing New Measures Songphan Choemprayong Barbara M. Wildemuth 291

Part V Methods for Data Analysis

31 Content Analysis Krishna M. Spurgin Barbara M. Wildemuth 307

32 Qualitative Analysis of Content Yan Zhang Barbara M. Wildemuth 318

33 Discourse Analysis Barbara M. Wildemuth Carol L. Ferryman 330

34 Social Network Analysis Laura Sheble Kathy Brennan Barbara M. Wildemuth 339

35 Descriptive Statistics Barbara M. Wildemuth 351

36 Frequencies, Cross-tabulation, and the Chi-square Statistic Barbara M. Wildemuth 361

37 Analyzing Sequences of Events Barbara M. Wildemuth 373

38 Correlation Barbara M. Wildemuth 387

39 Comparing Means: t Tests and Analysis of Variance Abe J. Crystal Barbara M. Wildemuth 395

Part VI Conclusion

40 Putting It All Together Barbara M. Wildemuth 407

Index of Authors of Examples Discussed 417

Subject Index 421

About the Editor and Contributors 431