1. The Information School of the University of Washington LIS 570_Ethics_Research LIS 570 Session 2

2. The Information School of the University of Washington LIS 570_Ethics_ResearchMason; p. 2 Objectives Clarify expectations and resolve any questions from last session Discuss readings Understand difference: behavior that is ethical, moral, and legal Introduce issues of measurement and display

3. The Information School of the University of Washington LIS 570_Ethics_ResearchMason; p. 3 Agenda Quick review –Research framework –Update: web site, readings, and schedule –Q/A on (abstract) concepts and goals –Q/A on details and requirements Discussion –Behavior: what is ethical/moral/legal –Readings –Formulating research questions

4. The Information School of the University of Washington LIS 570_Ethics_ResearchMason; p. 4 Information “Value Chain” Sensory Awareness Creation Access / Transfer Application Interpretation Storage

5. The Information School of the University of Washington LIS 570_Ethics_ResearchMason; p. 5 Research is everywhere The need for research methods literacy –to protect yourself from misleading research conclusions –to empower yourself to use valid social science research –to enable the essential function of research communication the partnership between the researcher and the consumer of research

6. The Information School of the University of Washington LIS 570_Ethics_Research Ways of knowing and the research process

7. The Information School of the University of Washington LIS 570_Ethics_ResearchMason; p. 7 Philosophical Frames Positivist –External reality exists; the world operates according to rules –Research: discover the reality and rules Social Constructionist –Focus on our interaction with physical world and others –Reality is socially negotiated Critical Theorist: examine social situation from perspective of justice, equity

8. The Information School of the University of Washington LIS 570_Ethics_ResearchMason; p. 8 Sources of understanding How do we know what we know? Authority (variations in explanations, e.g., deviance) Personal experience Tradition –Can be a powerful force operating against inquiry –May have much wisdom

9. The Information School of the University of Washington LIS 570_Ethics_ResearchMason; p. 9 Sources of understanding Authority –how do we select? Public opinion –people can agree on things that are inaccurate Common errors in understanding –we can observe inaccurately –we can overgeneralise –we can be guilty of selective perception

10. The Information School of the University of Washington LIS 570_Ethics_ResearchMason; p. 10 Experiential Learning Cycle (Kolb, 1984) Concrete Experience Reflective Observation Abstract Conceptualization Active Experimentation

11. The Information School of the University of Washington LIS 570_Ethics_ResearchMason; p. 11 Social Science Research Features of the scientific method –empirical –verifiable –cumulative –self-correcting –deterministic –ethical and ideological neutrality –statistical generalizability

12. The Information School of the University of Washington LIS 570_Ethics_ResearchMason; p. 12 Scientific Method Accepted (Western) way of knowing (socially constructed, has evolved over time) Surrogate for doing things ourselves –Accepted authority: someone who follows certain rules; someone who can be trusted –Documented: path to conclusions is evident; one feels that it could be replicated

13. The Information School of the University of Washington LIS 570_Ethics_ResearchMason; p. 13 Research Disciplined Inquiry Problem based Systematic: Methodical Established sources of evidence Sound argument Concern for Error –Anticipation –Control (Elimination) –Discussion of the Margin of error Public Original, Novel

14. The Information School of the University of Washington LIS 570_Ethics_ResearchMason; p. 14 Sources of Behavioral Guidance Moral Ethical Legal

15. The Information School of the University of Washington LIS 570_Ethics_ResearchMason; p. 15 Can You Think of Examples? Legal but immoral Legal but unethical Moral but illegal Ethical but immoral Ethical but illegal

16. The Information School of the University of Washington LIS 570_Ethics_ResearchMason; p. 16 Research Ethics Voluntary No harm/informed consent Anonymity & Confidentiality Deception Analysis & Reporting: “intellectual honesty”

17. The Information School of the University of Washington LIS 570_Ethics_ResearchMason; p. 17 Sales Report

18. The Information School of the University of Washington LIS 570_Ethics_ResearchMason; p. 18 Research in LIS570 Purpose –Descriptive What is …. –Exploratory—seek Relationships Association Between Ideas (Concepts) –Explanatory and predictive Cause and Effect Relationships

19. The Information School of the University of Washington LIS 570_Ethics_ResearchMason; p. 19 The Phases of Research Phase 1: Essential First Steps Phase 2: Data Collection Phase 3: Analysis and Interpretation

20. The Information School of the University of Washington LIS 570_Ethics_ResearchMason; p. 20 Essential First Steps Phase 1 –Select, Narrow, and Define Problem Exploratory Qualitative Research Refine “problem statement” –Select a Research Design –Design and Devise Measures for Variables “Operationalization” of the variable Measurement Process –Select Tables for Analysis –Select a Sample

21. The Information School of the University of Washington LIS 570_Ethics_Research Decision Exercise Group Discussion/Decision

22. The Information School of the University of Washington LIS 570_Ethics_ResearchMason; p. 22 Example: Policy Decision Group 1 –Chose A –Chose B Group 2 –Chose C –Chose D

23. The Information School of the University of Washington LIS 570_Ethics_ResearchMason; p. 23 Choices Groups 1 A: Save 200 jobs B: 1/3 chance save all 600 jobs 2/3 chance save no jobs Groups 2 C: 400 jobs lost B: 1/3 chance no one loses job 2/3 everyone loses their job

24. The Information School of the University of Washington LIS 570_Ethics_ResearchMason; p. 24 Sample Topic Areas How people search for information How people search for health information Blues dancing (origin) Language barriers in library use Future role of libraries Improvements in library catalogs; metadata; linguistics Reference interviews Impact of users perception on cataloging How academic community uses special collections Technology and public libraries Job searching Application of library techniques to electronic documents Successful publishing Diet and nutrition Crofting community life Library services for the blind

25. The Information School of the University of Washington LIS 570_Ethics_ResearchMason; p. 25 Examples Future of libraries (e.g., opinion of experts: public, academic, …) Use of technology in libraries Downloading music Faculty and technology