Statistics Training in Library Science: Comparing Approaches in Library and Information Science to Sociology Graduate Programs

Fuente: ERIC Institute of Education Sciences
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Autore principale: Jung Mee Park
Natura: Recurso educativo Open Access
Lingua:en
Pubblicazione: 2022
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author Jung Mee Park
author_facet Jung Mee Park
Jung Mee Park
collection Education Resources Information Center
contents Statistics Training in Library Science: Comparing Approaches in Library and Information Science to Sociology Graduate Programs Jung Mee Park Statistics Education Library Science Information Science Education Sociology Research Methodology Masters Programs Statistical Analysis Statistical Inference Graduate Study Required Courses Library and information science (LIS) research is becoming more quantitative. However, statistics is not extensively taught within LIS research methods courses, and statistics courses are uncommon within LIS programs. Previous research on statistics in LIS revealed that researchers have mainly relied on descriptive statistics in publications. This article argues that LIS's partner disciplines, such as sociology, emphasize statistical training more so than do LIS programs at the master's level. Sociology serves as an appropriate comparison to LIS because of its central status in the development of both qualitative and quantitative research methods and its relevance for library science. The author analyzed the curricular requirements of 109 master's degree programs (47 sociology and 62 LIS programs) and 81 research methods syllabi (60 in sociology and 21 in LIS). The analysis of master's in LIS (MLIS) and sociology MA curricula revealed that MLIS students took 0.6 research methods courses while sociology MA students took 2.7 methods courses. LIS programs typically required one methods course, whereas sociology MA programs required three. LIS methods courses spent on average 19% of instructional time on statistics, whereas 64% of sociology MA programs' instruction in methods focused on statistical analysis. 86% of LIS research methods courses covered descriptive statistics and only 38% of LIS courses discussed inferential statistics. Statistical training in LIS programs remains limited. LIS departments could approach statistical training as sociology has done by teaching inferential statistics and other advanced techniques. Thereafter, information professionals can publish more widely and provide improved research support.
format Recurso educativo Open Access
id eric_EJ1343490
institution ERIC Institute of Education Sciences
language en
publishDate 2022
record_format eric
spellingShingle Statistics Training in Library Science: Comparing Approaches in Library and Information Science to Sociology Graduate Programs
Jung Mee Park
Statistics Education
Library Science
Information Science Education
Sociology
Research Methodology
Masters Programs
Statistical Analysis
Statistical Inference
Graduate Study
Required Courses
Statistics Training in Library Science: Comparing Approaches in Library and Information Science to Sociology Graduate Programs Jung Mee Park Statistics Education Library Science Information Science Education Sociology Research Methodology Masters Programs Statistical Analysis Statistical Inference Graduate Study Required Courses Library and information science (LIS) research is becoming more quantitative. However, statistics is not extensively taught within LIS research methods courses, and statistics courses are uncommon within LIS programs. Previous research on statistics in LIS revealed that researchers have mainly relied on descriptive statistics in publications. This article argues that LIS's partner disciplines, such as sociology, emphasize statistical training more so than do LIS programs at the master's level. Sociology serves as an appropriate comparison to LIS because of its central status in the development of both qualitative and quantitative research methods and its relevance for library science. The author analyzed the curricular requirements of 109 master's degree programs (47 sociology and 62 LIS programs) and 81 research methods syllabi (60 in sociology and 21 in LIS). The analysis of master's in LIS (MLIS) and sociology MA curricula revealed that MLIS students took 0.6 research methods courses while sociology MA students took 2.7 methods courses. LIS programs typically required one methods course, whereas sociology MA programs required three. LIS methods courses spent on average 19% of instructional time on statistics, whereas 64% of sociology MA programs' instruction in methods focused on statistical analysis. 86% of LIS research methods courses covered descriptive statistics and only 38% of LIS courses discussed inferential statistics. Statistical training in LIS programs remains limited. LIS departments could approach statistical training as sociology has done by teaching inferential statistics and other advanced techniques. Thereafter, information professionals can publish more widely and provide improved research support.
title Statistics Training in Library Science: Comparing Approaches in Library and Information Science to Sociology Graduate Programs
topic Statistics Education
Library Science
Information Science Education
Sociology
Research Methodology
Masters Programs
Statistical Analysis
Statistical Inference
Graduate Study
Required Courses
url https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ1343490