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Who was Kurt Lewin and why are his theories important?
What is action research?
Analysis of a qualitative exploratory study of information literacy in the workplace

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Born in Prussia (now Poland)
From a Jewish family
Concerned with equality and democracy
Taught psychology and philosophy
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University of Iowa 1935
(Smith 2001)

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Influenced by the war
Social processes
Minorities
Inter-group relations
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Field theory
(Lewin 1951, 188-190) (Smith 2001)

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Cassier’s Philosophy of Science and the
Social Sciences (1949)
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What is considered “unscientific” or
“illogical” is important for progress
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Quantitative versus qualitative
(Lewin 1951, xv-30)

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Importance of group problems
Experimenter does not determine policy, but rather investigate and secure data
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Data is important for policy determination
(Lewin 1951, 68)

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Applied to modern culture
Experiment outside the lab
Integrate social science
Focus on problems of group life instead of description of group
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New techniques of social research
(Lewin 1951, 188)

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Social management
Research of social action
Effects of social action
Research that leads to social action
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Collecting data just to collect data is not enough
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Create change
(Smith 2001)

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Identify idea
Find information
Plan
First action phase
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Evaluate
Adjust plan if needed
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Second action phase
(Smith 2001)

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A Qualitative Exploratory Study
Scottish Information Literacy Project
Adult Literacies
Interview based
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Need for information literacy training programs through the public library
(Crawford et al. 2009)

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Lave and Wenger
Community of practice
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Social dimension
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Social interaction
(Crawford et al. 2009)

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1. Learn from mistakes
2. Self education
3. Personal values
4. Theory and skill
5. Problem solving
6. Interaction
7. Planning
8. Advocate

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9. Leadership
10. Training
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11. Practice
(Crawford et al. 2009)

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Social learning and information literacy
Pedagogic authorities
Professional qualifications a factor
Training programs can be important
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Multiple Learner Model
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Changing nature of work from manual to literate
(Crawford et al. 2009)

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Interviews with Adult Literacy trainers
Interviews with Tribunal Services staff
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Interviews with Scottish Government Civil
Service Staff
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Interviews with social work/health staff
(Crawford et al. 2009)

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Pedagogical implications
People learn together in the workplace through social interaction
Need for information literacy
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Knowledge management systems
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Role of the public library
(Crawford et al. 2009)

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Traditional view of information and people as a source of information
Human relationships important
Information Literacy training opportunities
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Change public library image
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Skills audits
(Crawford et al. 2009)

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Contact chamber of commerce
Information policy
Assess staff information literacy skills
Viability of developing IL programmes
Private sector should be researched further
Provision of IL programmes by public libraries
Developmental work with Adult Literacy agencies

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Further research is planned
Health literacy
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Develop or utilize existing IL training programs
(Crawford et al. 2009)

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Crawford, John, and Christine Irving.
“Information Literacy in the Workplace: A qualitative Exploratory Study.” Journal of
Librarianship and Information Science 41, no.
1(March 2009), http://lis.sagepub.com
.
Lewin, Kurt. Field Theory in Social Science
Selected Theoretical Papers. Edited by Dorwin
Cartwright. New York: Harper & Brothers
Publishers, 1951.
Smith, Mark K. “ Kurt Lewin: groups, experimental learning, and action research.”
Infed. http://www.infed.org/thinkers/etlewin.htm
(accessed October 13, 2009).