Information on the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) data survey is presented, along with a quantitative index for the university libraries of the Association of American Universities (AAU). Ten quantitative measures of holdings, expenditures, and staff size for the AAU libraries from the 1981-1982 annual ARL survey are converted to an index…

Study of perceived prestige (value for tenure and promotion) of core group of library journals by directors of Association of Research Libraries and library school deans reveals that: the two groups differed significantly on ratings of one-third of journals; deans agreed more on ratings within group than directors. (5 references) (EJS)

Application of a multidimensional measure of university research activity, the Research Activity Index (RAI), is described and compared to the more common use of research and development expenditures as a criterion of activity. The RAI incorporates seven expenditure variables, three graduate-student-related variables, and a research library…

Describes steps in survey project that supplied information for contemplated merger of two libraries by estimating number of volumes and titles and duplication between John Crerar Library collections and University of Chicago Library science collections. Survey's findings for volume duplication are analyzed by subject groupings and by books and…

Designed to evaluate the usefulness of the BIOSIS PREVIEWS database when searching the psychiatric literature, this study compared the effectiveness of this online database with the effectiveness of two other computerized databases, MEDLINE and PsycINFO (Psychological Abstracts), which psychiatric researchers and clinicians usually rely on when…

This study determines the current length of service among library directors at Association of Research Libraries (ARL) and non-ARL libraries and compares findings with similar investigations completed in early 1970s. Responses on gender, ethnic background, position titles, internal promotion, professional experience, degrees, and retirement and…

Analyzes opinions of public library directors regarding library competencies that are most important for entry-level librarians now and in future; competencies that are most important to specializations within library; number of current library school graduates adequately possessing competencies; and where competencies should be acquired.…

Reviews studies done on academic library growth in attempt to clarify three reasons for failure of these analyses to result in usable projections of library size. Highlights include patterns in library growth (hypothetical exponential and arithmetic growth), Fremont Rider's studies of growth, and literature on growth after Rider. (28 references)…

This study examined the nature and chronological spread of references used by English-speaking scholars writing monographs on foreign literary topics, and compared the findings to an earlier study of the monographic literature of English and American literature and the humanities journal literature. Implications for research library collections…

Presents conceptual framework for library and information science research and analyzes research methodology that has application for information science, using as example results of study conducted by authors. Rationale for use of qualitative research methods in theory building is discussed and qualitative and quantitative research methods are…

Presents an overview of the field of comparative librarianship, i.e., systematic analysis of library development, practices, or problems as they occur under different circumstances, most usually in different countries in context of relevant background factors. Highlights include definition, purposes, research methodology, problems, and possible…

Describes three methods of sample size determination, each having its use in investigation of social science problems: Attribute method; Continuous Variable method; Galtung's Cell Size method. Statistical generalization, benefits of cell size method (ease of use, trivariate analysis and trichotyomized variables), and choice of method are…

Study comparing statistical use in 99 journals from four subject areas (library and information science [LIS], education, social work, business) found that: LIS produced more articles making no use of statistics; and only in LIS were there more articles using only descriptive techniques than articles using inferential techniques. (17 references)…

Based on material obtained and observations made in 1982, this Australian study focuses on the British Library's inter-library comparison (ILC) project for academic libraries. The report is presented in five sections, the first of which is a brief introduction. The second section deals with the general concept of inter-organization comparison as a…

This review of the research on the use of card catalogs and online catalogs highlights research methodologies and significant findings. Discussion of the results focuses on user needs and satisfaction, and the need to separate bibliographic practices that are universally sound from those that are an adaptation to the medium. (CLB)