EIGHT
Tangible
Insights
Preparing
Scholarship
Danuta A. Nitecki,
Dean of Libraries, Drexel University
April 26, 2013
Concordia Professional Forum
Montreal
#1 Problem statement:
grab and keep the reader
1.
Lead-in
2.
Originality
3.
Direction
4.
Value
#2 Literature Review:
synthesize and “mind the gap”
Literature Review
Theoretical Framework
#3 Logical Structure:
see where you are going
Visual diagram of problem direction
Study objectives
 Research
Questions
 Hypotheses
Identify barriers to publishing
research among academic
librarians.
BARRIERS
PUBLISHING
RESEARCH
ACADEMIC
LIBRARIANS
- Incentives
- Motivation
- LIS journals
- Discipline-oriented
-- Education level
-- Research
experience
- Funding
- Time
- Peer reviewed
- Invited
-- Age
-- Years in profession
- Interview skills
- Statistical training
- Blogs
- Journal, book
formats
-- Gender
-- Ethnic origins
-- Language
- Fear
- Confidence
- Open Source
- Author fees
-- Institution type
-- Faculty status
Study Objectives
Research
Questions
To describe,
determine,
identify
Hypotheses
To relate,
compare,
contrast
#4 Research Design:
how to conduct the research

Who [population/sample/size]

Where

When
#5 Methodology:
match protocol to the problem

Qualitative

Quantitative
#6 Data Quality:
clarify limitations

Reliability:


Extent data are consistent
Validity: extent findings are:


generalizable to population [external
validity], or
accurately measure [internal validity]
#7 Manage:
research project like a pro

Costs and resources

Time and timing

People and protections [IRB]
#8 Presentation:
lay out your contribution

Findings

Discussion

Conclusions
Preparing Research
for Publication
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Problem statement
Literature Review
[Logical Structure]
Research Design
Methodology
Data Quality
[Manage to conduct study]
Presentation
Publication structure
1. Abstract [past tense, Questions, methods, major findings, conclusion
concise]
2. Introduction
[active voice]
PROBLEM STATEMENT—context, knowledge
gap, purpose, rationale for direction
3. Literature review
[consistent tense]
LITERATURE REVIEW -- Synthesis, gap, theoretical
framework
4. Methods
[past tense]
RESEARCH DESIGN & METHODOLOGY [DATA
QUALITY]
5. Results [past tense]
FINDINGS organized without interpretation,
6. Analysis/Discussion
[active voice]
DISCUSSION [DATA QUALITY] & CONCLUSION
7. References
[journal’s style]
Literature cited
8. Appendices
[optional]
Instruments, raw data, figures & tables
Thank you for your attention
Danuta A. Nitecki:
dan44@drexel.edu
Peter Hernon, Robert E. Dugan, and
Danuta A. Nitecki. Engaging in Evaluation
and Assessment Research. Santa Barbara,
CA: Libraries Unlimited, 2011.