Conducting Original Research for Your Library

In this work aimed at assisting library professionals engaged in original research, authors Gerrity and Lanning, both of whom teach library and information science at Southern Utah University and who coauthored the third edition of Concise Guide to Information Literacy, draw on their combined experience to provide an overview and approach for readers hoping to learn more about the research process. Gerrity and Lanning begin by discussing the first steps in the research process: the research question, literature review, and research methods. They then jump into the deeper waters of gathering and interpreting data, cleverly setting aside a chapter to discuss various tools that can help analyze and visualize data. The work is reminiscent of a slow climb up a mountain, with discussions about data at the peak and methods for sharing findings along the descent. Of special note are the chapters on statistical significance and interpreting statistics, as many information professionals likely have limited experience in these areas. The book has an engaging, intuitive structure and includes chapter questions and a detailed index.