Argues that, although research measuring library effectiveness has tended to equate effectiveness with user satisfaction, this approach is faulty for several reasons and calls for more in-depth user needs assessment studies. (LLS)

This is a collection of five articles which suggest current and future trends in academic library reference services. The first article poses a question, and the remaining four articles offer responses to it. (DGM/JMV)

Provides an introduction to sampling, determination of sample size, and selection of the actual sample that would be useful for librarians conducting research and evaluation studies. Highlights include sampling method, sampling error, confidence level, and microcomputer software packages that help determine sample size. (Contains 26 references.)…

Professionally, school librarians are faced with an explosion of choices--search engines, online catalogs, media types, subscription databases, and Web tools--all requiring scrutiny, evaluation, and selection. In turn, this support "stuff" forms a basis for making additional choices about how and what they teach and what they assess. Whereas once…

This review of the research on subject access to library collections focuses on the problems of and prospects for improved online subject access to library collections. Summaries of the general findings of studies on library catalog use and catalog users and some reasons for the frequent failure of subject searches in library catalogs are followed…

The results of personal interviews with 18 of the more experienced online searchers in Washington State are presented. A profile of respondents determines the experience of each in searching in years, number of searches per month, vendors used, and most used data bases. This information is used to analyze the answers given to questions about the…

Argues that the academic goals and commitment to interdisciplinary research as a rationale for the new University of Chicago Graduate Library School as described by Douglas Waples in "Library Quarterly" (1931) have yet to be fully achieved. It is concluded that a new graduate library school ought to be reinvented. (Author/EM)

Discusses the problem of how library education fits into higher education. The aspects of library education that are most compatible with academic rather than professional values are described, and organizational models of library education are defined that can respond to the problems noted. (EM)

Summarizes a 1984 survey of four presidential libraries which identified patterns of behavior within groups of researchers. Data were collected on user's academic, professional, or private affiliation; topics of study; advance preparation; and previous archival research. Findings show users of presidential libraries place high value on personal…

Suggests that fundamental questions with broad policy implications and a perspective that approaches academic library from patron's point of view remain to be asked about library costs, collections and their use, library users, and both the academic setting itself and the people who work within it. Seventeen references are cited. (EJS)

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…

Traces emergence and development of research in library science; argues that prevailing ideology posits desirability of adoption of a positivist epistemology for research in the field; and proposes drawing of work in critical theory and hermeneutics, to rethink the epistemological foundations of research in library and information science. (38…

Discusses funding for library research (1964-84), including previous findings; problems in analyses of funding; activities of major research funding agencies (Higher Education Act of 1965 Title II-B, National Science Foundation, National Library of Medicine, Council on Library Resources); and funding by professional organizations. Problems and…

Report on study to consider ways in which research effectiveness could be assessed outlines possible approaches (cost-benefit assessment, citation analysis, publications, real-time tracking study, case study, take-up survey, audience research panel, penetration study). Appropriateness of approaches is discussed in relation to projects funded by…

Discusses the advantages of evaluation of library services and provides examples of decisions that might be aided through evaluation. The three attributes of library service of most concern to the evaluator--costs, effectiveness, and benefits--are considered. Describes general principles of cost-effectiveness and cost-benefit studies in the…