Revised to include timely scholarly areas, issues, and methods, the newly published book “Research Methods in Library and Information Science -7th Edition,” by Professor Marie L. Radford, chair of the Library Science and Information Department at SC&I, is designed for LIS master’s and doctoral students, new faculty, and professional librarians.

Lynn Silipigni Connaway, Director of Library Trends and User Research at OCLC Research is Radford’s co-author and long-time collaborator on IMLS grant projects. She said, “Lynn and I have developed a synergy and shared goals to enable our book to be a definitive authority on research in LIS, yet clear, readable, and enjoyable.” Radford notes that the 7th edition provides a broad overview of the research process, and invites readers to learn about quantitative, qualitative, historical, and critical approaches.  The extensive revision added or expanded numerous sections such as: data management and reuse; new modes for collaboration; ethics for research in the digital environment; data science; artificial intelligence and machine learning; visualization of quantitative and qualitative data; digital ethnography; design thinking and research for innovation; and social justice research in LIS.

Radford said “We are very excited about the launch of the 7thedition which features 40% new content with in-depth bibliographies that curates a wide-range of current research in public, academic, school, and other library contexts. This edition has over 30 text boxes that provide voices from researchers who bring research methods to life, enthusiastically discussing the methods they prefer and why. Plus, we have advice from editors of the top LIS journals on getting published and tips for boosting productivity.”

More information about the Library and Information Science Department at the Rutgers School of Communication and Information is on the website.