Book review: Research methods in information
Title of Book Research methods in information
Author Alison Jane Pickard
ISBN 9781856045452
Publisher Facet
Publisher Website www.facetpublishing.co.uk
Reviwer Elspeth Henry
Title Library Services Manager, Directorate of Public Health
Contact Details Directorate of Public Health
NHS Tayside
Kings Cross
Clepington Road
Dundee
DD3 8EA
Review
“A handbook providing a reference guide to the research process for students and practitioners in the fields of information studies, communications, records management, knowledge management and related disciplines” (1) is the purpose described in the introduction of “Research methods in information” by Alison Jane Pickard. A second purpose is “to share…the sheer joy of exploring the world around us by whatever means is appropriate to the subject under investigation” (1). The author’s enthusiasm for the subject certainly shines through the text, with her years of experience of both research and teaching research methods feeding in to the content throughout. Her wish not to allude to her preferred methods of research is achieved, with a good range of methods and techniques described in detail.
The book is divided up into logical sections corresponding to the steps involved in the research process: starting out, methods, data collection, and analysis and presentation. Within these sections, each chapter follows a similar clear format of introduction, main discussion, a summary, some practical exercises, and then further reading, including Internet resources on occasions. Whilst the start is at times filled with terminology and quite heavy going, this gives way to an easier read in subsequent chapters.
“Starting the research process” (Part 1) begins with a very in depth overview of research perhaps at a level more suited to practitioners than students. An excellent chapter follows this, on reviewing literature. Further useful descriptions of research basics come here, including ethics and another essential for the student and practitioner, the research proposal.
Part 2 provides detailed chapters on several commonly used and some not so well known research methods. The detail in each chapter here would give a good grounding to a student in a particular method, although more reading of the entire section would be required to use the book to decide which method to use. Care is taken here to attempt to clarify the meanings of the different methods, correcting often blurred and generalised definitions which have been assumed over the years, such as with case studies. These discussions are all referenced, allowing one to further investigate key areas of interest.
Data collection methods are the subject of the third section of the book. Again the old familiar appear alongside some less often used techniques. The detail included in the chapters, e.g. for questionnaires, should allow a good tool to be put together for use in real research. A visual summary of optimal method tabled against research requirements could have been a good summing up of the section.
Data analysis chapters look at qualitative and quantitative analysis. Overviews of the well known SPSS and MINITAB software packages are included under quantitative analysis. Under qualitative analysis the debate around the usefulness or otherwise of computer software is discussed, with an overview of NUD.IST and its relatives. A short chapter on presentation ends this section. This is geared to students, focussing on presenting a dissertation.
The book closes with a useful glossary, the collated references from the individual chapters, then a detailed index.
Overall the book is thorough, varying in the level of its content, sometimes speaking at a deep level suited to teachers or established practitioners, whilst at other times speaking explicitly for students. It is however a useful reference book for an individual to have, both to dip in and out of, or for more complete reading to gain an understanding of research in a social setting. It would also be useful for any library service which intended to look at its own practice.
1. Pickard, Alison Jane. Research methods in information. Facet Publishing: London; 2007. pp xiii, xiv