Inhibitors and Promoters of Quality Research Outputs for Women in the Library and Information Science (LIS) Profession in Africa

This chapter aims to explore inhibitors and promoters of quality research output for women in general and with specific reference to the library and information science (LIS) discipline and profession in Africa. It is envisaged that findings might help influence established, novice and potential women researchers in Africa to engage in collaborative production of quality research outputs, particularly women in the LIS profession. The chapter is organized into sections. First, the introduction and background, in which the uneven global bibliometrics about women in the research profession is highlighted. Then problem statement, research aims, and research methodology are described. After which, a theoretical framework, a literature review including inhibitors and promoters, are discussed. The chapter recommends women to work towards positioning themselves on the global scholarly landscape.NoneInformation Scienc

The Evolving Landscape of Research Methods in Library and Information Science

The library and information science (LIS) profession is influenced by multidisciplinary research strategies and techniques (research methods) that in themselves are also evolving. They represent established ways of approaching research questions (e.g., qualitative vs. quantitative methods). This chapter reviews the methods of research as expressed in literature, demonstrating how, where, and if they are inter-connected. Chu concludes that popularly used approaches include the theoretical approach, experiment, content analysis, bibliometrics, questionnaire, and interview. It appears that most empirical research articles in Chu\u27s analysis employed a quantitative approach. Although the survey emerged as the most frequently used research strategy, there is evidence that the number and variety of research methods and methodologies have been increasing. There is also evidence that qualitative approaches are gaining increasing importance and have a role to play in LIS, while mixed methods have not yet gained enough recognition in LIS research