Surveys some of the theoretical positions that underlie various qualitative research methods and discusses the methodological issues raised by those positions for use in library and information science research. Contextualization, understanding, pluralism, and expression are discussed; and qualitative research methods are compared with a…

Discusses digital libraries and provides brief accounts of digital library projects in different parts of the world. Reviews the literature on digital library research under 16 subject headings and suggests future directions. (Contains 114 references.) (LRW)

This review of the 1987 literature on collection management covers (1) organization; (2) collection building; (3) collection and use evaluation; (4) cooperative collection development; (5) costs and budgeting; and (6) acquisitions. (185 references) (MES)

Provides overall picture of growth of librarianship and information science literature (academic research and practitioner's literature) and various outlets available for reporting research findings, with special emphasis on United States and Great Britain. Discussion covers ways in which research may be undertaken and dissemination of research…

Summarizes the two recent studies of interest to the library community: (1) an A. D. Little analysis of past and present systems for dissemination of scientific technical information, and (2) Fritz Machlup's economic profile of key disseminators of scholarly, scientific, and intellectual knowledge. (FM)

Review of the 1987 literature on library technical services covers research on: (1) cataloging; (2) subject analysis; (3) authority control; (4) use of the online catalog; (5) acquisitions; and (6) library preservation. The review is limited to studies with a clearly defined research methodology, primarily field studies or survey research. (38…

Because of the variety in the nature and interests of foundations, libraries often seek an understanding of several foundations' interests, funding history, future plans, and strategies in terms of their own needs before approaching a single foundation. A review of foundation giving within the past few years shows that construction and expansion…

Problems of indexing and index use lie at the heart of information use. They determine maximum possible use of information systems and sources, affect communication with users, influence the use of retrieved documents, and should form a more important field of research than past history indicates. Previous research provides some clues to user…

This review of the 1987 journal literature on serials covers (1) electronic and optical storage; (2) automation of processing; (3) cataloging; (4) holdings information and cooperative efforts; (5) cost analysis and collection contraction; (6) work abroad; (7) subject collections; (8) serving patrons; (9) serials as a professional specialty; and…

Discusses two articles addressing the problem of how to read and evaluate library research in a critical, consumer-oriented manner: Margaret Hayes Grazier's "Critically Reading and Applying Research in School Library Media Centers" (1982) and M. Carl Drott's "How to Read Research: An Approach to the Literature for Practitioners" (1984). (EJS)

Reviews research that has been relevant to improved user access to online information retrieval systems: (1) background; (2) natural language interfaces; (3) information retrieval system interfaces; and (4) modification of systems through user feedback. A 29-item bibliography is included. (Author/JD)

Reviews 1979's publications and activities in the fields of general subject analysis, classification, subject headings, and indexing. An extensive list of references is provided. (FM)

Extracts five conclusions from a survey of library material use studies: (1) recorded use in many libraries is low; (2) use within the library parallels circulation; (3) past use predicts future use; (4) recent materials are used more frequently; and (5) Americans use few foreign language materials. (FM)

Examines the value of upward evaluation by reviewing historical outcomes of upward evaluations in industrial psychology/business literature and library literature. Also discusses the utilization of upward evaluation in libraries and focuses on results of the Western Kentucky University Libraries' annual process of supervisor evaluation. Appendixes…

Review of research methodologies used in studies of online public access catalog (OPAC) users finds that a variety of research methodologies--e.g., surveys, transaction log analysis, interviews--have been used with varying degrees of expertise. It is concluded that poor research methodology resulting from limited training and resources limits the…