Theoretical Framework Logical Structure - Simmons

TheoreticalFrameworkResearchbasisTheoreticalFrameworkWhatisthecentralconcept(s)integraltothestudy?(lookwithinandoutsideLIS)Connectingthestudytotheory:basicresearchGoodTheoryAdvancesknowledgeinadiscipline,guides,research,enlightensthediscipline,helpsthedisciplinematureandgainvalidationEnablesustoriseabovetheseeminglyrandomconfusionofeverydaylifetoseepatternsandtounderstandprinciplesonwhichtobasepurposeful,productiveactionProvidesanimportantcontextTheoryvs.PracticeWecannotdowithouttheory.Itwillalwaysdefeatpracticeintheendforaquitesimplereason.Practiceisstatic.Itdoeswellwhatitknows.Ithas,however,noprinciplefordealingwithwhatitdoesn’tknow…Practiceisnotwelladaptedforrapidadjustmentstoachangingenvironment.Theoryislightfooted,itcanadaptitselftochangedcircumstances,thinkoutfreshOutfreshcombinationsandpossibilities,peerintothefuture.Theoryprovidesaclearframework,administrativepracticereducestoaseriesofmeaninglessacts,withoutpurposeofdirection.Source:CharlesH.Granger,HarvardBusinessReview42(May-June1964),p.64.TheoryProvidespatternsfortheinterpretationofdataLinksonestudytoanotherSuppliesframeworkswithinwhichconceptsandvariablesacquirespecialsignificanceAllowsustointerpretthelargermeaningofourfindingsforourselvesandothersSource:Theelementsofsocialscientificthinking,p.40ExamplesInformationneedsinformation-seekingbehaviorEffectivenessTeams/smallgroupsSuccessReferenceTransactionsStandardsRUSA,IL,AccreditationExpectationsservicequalitySatisfactionValueSeeMeasuringyourlibrary’svalue,DonaldS.Elliottetal(ALA,2007)TheoreticalFrameworkDalbello,M.(2009).Culturaldimensionsofdigitallibrarydevelopment:PartIItheculturalinnovationsoffiveEuropeannationallibraries.LibraryQuarterly,79(1).Culture=NationalCulture+OrganizationalCulture+ProfessionalCulture+HeterogeneousToolKitCultureLogicalStructureWho,what,when,where,how…LogicalStructureExplicitlyaddressesallthepossiblevariableswithinastudyIdentifiesalloftheimportantcomponentsIsamenuofchoices--nodecisionsarerepresentedThedecisions=objectivesLogicalStructure(Components)AddressesthequestionsofWhat(problemstatement)WhoWhereWhenHow(methods)LogicalStructureNotalwaysdirectlyaddressedwithinthepublishedstudy,butmustbeaddressedbytheresearchduringtheplanningstages.OftenpossibletorepresentthelogicalstructurethroughadiagramormodelWhatIdentifiestheproblemunderstudyMayhelptobrainstormforcontributingfactors,causesandeffectsMayhavetooperationalizeterms=i.e.success,efficiency,effectiveness,etc.Somemethods:FlowChartFiveWhy’sFishboneDiagramFishboneDiagramDr.KaoruIshikawaProblemStatementPoliciesMaterialsPeopleProcessTechnologyWhoThegroupunderstudyIdentifiesthepopulationIdentifiesthesamplewithinthepopulationMayhavetojustifychoicesWhenThetimeframeofthestudyDatacollectionLiteraturereviewCorrectingforlapsesSetsdeadlinesCreatescontextWhereIdentifytheenvironmentSetsparametersHowMethodologiesHowwilldatabecollectedWhatisappropriate?User/UseStudyUseStudentsSimmonsCollegeWhenHowUse/NonuseStudyLibraryUseNonUseAddVariablesStudentsHowWhere:onetomanyplacesWhen:1-manytimesE-bookUseUser(Search)BehaviorUndergraduatesWhereWhenHowvariablesvariablesObjectivesIndicatewhatwasselectedfromthe“menu”orlogicalstructureComponentsofObjectivesTo____verbObjectBasic:toconceptualizeApplied:totestAction:todescribeObjectivesTo“describe”To“relate:”“compare”or“contrast”(relatingappliestobasic,applied,andactionresearch)identifydefinedistinguishdetermineDepictetc.ObjectivesToidentifytheattributes(requirements,responsibilities,qualifications,andsalaries/benefits)ofmusiclibrariansTodeterminetheextenttowhichtheirresponsibilitiesrelatesolelytomusiclibrarianshipTocomparetheattributeslistedmostfrequentlyinjobadvertisementswiththoseattributesleadingtotheactualhiringofindividualTocomparethelistofattributesidentifiedinjobadvertisementsby:geographicalarea,highestdegreeofferedbytheinstitution,institutionalcontrol(privatevs.public)EvaluationQuestionsHowmuch?Howmany?Howeconomical?Howprompt?Howaccurate?Howresponsive?Howwell?Howvaluable?Howreliable?Howcourteous?Howsatisfied?---------------------------AccountabilityandEffectiveness=Howwell?Collections/servicesCommunityserved:customersFacilitiesTechnologyanditsuseCollections/servicesCommunityserved:customersFacilitiesTechnologyanditsuseExamples:Howmuch?Howmany?Howwell?Howsatisfied?