Transformations A-Z Research Policy Task Force Open Forum Update Suzanne Grefsheim, Chair Jonathan Eldredge, Elaine Martin Ann McKibbon, Jerry Perry, Carol Perryman Jocelyn Rankin, Joanne Marshall - Board of Directors Liaison, and Carla Funk - Headquarters Liaison Tuesday, May 23, 2006 MLA 06 Annual Meeting

MLA 2006:Transformations2 Key Informant Interviews Conducted over 5 month period 52 Interviews –Library educators, directors, practitioners, medical informaticians, international EBL community, funding agents, hospital librarians, etc. Summarized and compiled by Ann McKibbon, PhD

MLA 2006:Transformations3 Key Informant Interviews Questions : –What do you like about the current statement? –What changes would you like to see? in content in format –How best disseminated? –Comments?

MLA 2006:Transformations4 Analysis of Key Informant Interviews Broad overview Specific topics –Research Imperative –Culture of Research –Domains of Research –Research Skill Set –Role of Stakeholders

MLA 2006:Transformations5 Key Informant Outcomes Interviewees want from MLA: –Leadership –Advocacy –Collaboration –New Services…

MLA 2006:Transformations6 Key Informant Outcomes Interviewees want from MLA: –New education options –New publications –Research agenda for MLA and profession –Research into MLAs research outcomes

MLA 2006:Transformations7 Research Imperative Every profession depends upon a body of evidence developed through respected applied research methods for making important decisions. Without high- quality research to produce this evidence, a profession quickly loses legitimacy among those other professions that base their own practices on bodies of high level evidence.

MLA 2006:Transformations8 Definition of Research Research consists of the systematic, careful, organized, and deliberate process of building a body of knowledge. This process can involve the discovery, confirmation or the revision of facts, concepts, principles, theories or patterns of relationships between defined variables.

MLA 2006:Transformations9 Definition of Research (cont.) A research investigation draws upon a wide variety of quantitative and qualitative methods appropriate for answering a focused question or hypothesis. Many of the methods used in librarianship can be found in the January 2004 JMLA

MLA 2006:Transformations10 Domains of Research The Policy will; Broadly define research (R r) Emphasize all areas* of LIS research to promote evidence-based practice Be inclusive and also value non-LIS research * Koufogiannakis D, Slater L, Crumley E. A content analysis of librarianship research. Journal of Information Science 2004; 30(3):

MLA 2006:Transformations11 Domains of Research The policy will: Not provide a Research Agenda (but may point to one) Emphasize methods Provide sidebar with examples: - Funded research - Collaborative research - Replicative studies, systematic reviews, meta-analyses - New directions – patient safety, computer/human interaction

MLA 2006:Transformations12 Research Skill Set Ability to identify a research problem or question Knowledge of quantitative and qualitative methodologies and which is best for a given study Knowledge of statistical techniques and their interpretation Ability to understand statistical interpretations of research and whether the statistics support conclusions

MLA 2006:Transformations13 Research Skill Set Ability to evaluate research findings for validity and usefulness Ability to summarize research findings clearly and succinctly Ability to work collaboratively

MLA 2006:Transformations14 Action Plan Educate – MLA, NLM, LIS Schools Support – MLA, LIS Schools Fund – MLA, NLM, LIS Schools Disseminate – MLA, NLM, LIS Schools Evaluate the plan – MLA

Thank you! Research Statement Task Force Open Forum Update Contact Suzanne at: or (voice)