strengthening the links between research and practice: the research in librarianship impact...
DESCRIPTION
The Research in Librarianship Impact Evaluation Project (RiLIES - pronounced 'realise') completed in August 2011 explored the extent to which funded librarianship research projects influence library practice in the UK. Of particular interest in the findings are the factors that increase or hinder the impact or project outcomes on practice. This presentation, delivered at Online 2011, relates the main findings of the project related to: the relationship between the library and information science research and practitioner communities; how researchers can improve the impact of their research with careful attention to how projects are planned, conceived, implemented and reported; organisational factors that support the development of a receptive audience for research output.TRANSCRIPT
Strengthening the links between research and practice: the Research in Librarianship
Impact Evaluation Study (RiLIES)
Presentation by Professor Hazel HallOnline 2011, London Olympia,
1st December 2011
Professor Hazel Hall
• Director of the Centre for Social Informatics, Edinburgh Napier University– [email protected]; @hazelh
Professor Hazel Hall
• Director of the Centre for Social Informatics, Edinburgh Napier University– [email protected]; @hazelh
• Seconded to lead the implementation of the Library and Information Science Research Coalition– [email protected]; @LISResearch
The impact agenda: why?
• Investment in research should deliver a socio-economic impact
The impact agenda: why?
• Investment in research should deliver a socio-economic impact– Need for an evidence base on which to base
decision-making in public services• Need for the evidence base to be consulted
The impact agenda: why?
• Investment in research should deliver a socio-economic impact– Need for an evidence base on which to base
decision-making in public services• Need for the evidence base to be consulted
– Research funders focus on value for money
The impact agenda: why?
• Investment in research should deliver a socio-economic impact– Need for an evidence base on which to base
decision-making in public services• Need for the evidence base to be consulted
– Research funders focus on value for money– REF2014
Impact in the context of Library and Information Science
• The evaluation of library and information services– What is the impact of these services?
Impact in the context of Library and Information Science
• The evaluation of library and information services– What is the impact of these services?
• Methods for evaluating library and information services– What is the best way to measure the impact of
service provision?
Impact in the context of Library and Information Science
• The evaluation of library and information services– What is the impact of these services?
• Methods for evaluating library and information services– What is the best way to measure the impact of
service provision?• Bibliometrics– What is the impact of this research on the research
of others (academic impact)?
Impact in the context of RiLIES
• To what extent do funded research projects in library and information science influence practice in the UK?
Impact in the context of RiLIES
• To what extent do funded research projects in library and information science influence practice in the UK?
• Which factors increase/hinder the impact of research findings on those who deliver library and information services?
Impact in the context of RiLIES
• To what extent do funded research projects in library and information science influence practice in the UK?
• Which factors increase/hinder the impact of research findings on those who deliver library and information services?
RiLIES project team
• Centre for Social Informatics, Institute for Informatics and Digital Innovation, Edinburgh Napier University– Professor Hazel Hall– Peter Cruickshank– Ella Taylor-Smith– Jenny Gebel
RiLIES project stages
• February to July 2011• Desk research– Literature review
• Empirical work– Practitioner poll– 5 case studies of “impactful” projects– 3 sector-specific focus groups– Validation survey
5 “Impactful” studies identified from the practitioner poll
1. Open to all (2000)2. eValued (2004)3. Researchers’ use of academic libraries (2007)4. Evaluating clinical librarian studies (2009)5. School libraries in the UK (2010)
Findings: new insight
• Preference amongst practitioners for face-to-face dissemination channels– Much greater than previously reported• Tailored presentation• Lower incidence of information overload• Addresses issue of fragmented infrastructures
Findings: new insight
• Preference amongst practitioners for face-to-face dissemination channels– Much greater than previously reported• Tailored presentation• Lower incidence of information overload• Addresses issue of fragmented infrastructures
• Social media for raising awareness of research– Immediacy, updates on on-going projects
Findings: new insight
• Preference amongst practitioners for face-to-face dissemination channels– Much greater than previously reported• Tailored presentation• Lower incidence of information overload• Addresses issue of fragmented infrastructures
• Social media for raising awareness of research– Immediacy, updates on on-going projects
• Importance of research sponsorship
Findings: new insight
• Preference amongst practitioners for face-to-face dissemination channels– Much greater than previously reported
• Tailored presentation• Lower incidence of information overload• Addresses issue of fragmented infrastructures
• Social media for raising awareness of research– Immediacy, updates on on-going projects
• Importance of research sponsorship• Links between engagement and reward
Project conception and plans for impact
• Practitioners need to be involved in research design
Project conception and plans for impact
• Practitioners need to be involved in research design
• Funders need to support research relevant to the needs of the practitioner community– Allied to this, explicit goal of research should be to
influence practice
Project conception and plans for impact
• Practitioners need to be involved in research design
• Funders need to support research relevant to the needs of the practitioner community– Allied to this, explicit goal of research should be to
influence practice• Research undertaken needs to have high level
support– Steering committees, influential stakeholders
Project execution for impact
• Practitioners need to participate in the research from the outset, with appropriate– Methods– Approaches– Dissemination strategies
Project reporting for impact
• LIS research output needs to be accessible to the target audience– Where?• Best in teaching and community support materials
Project reporting for impact
• LIS research output needs to be accessible to the target audience– Where?
• Best in teaching and community support materials
• Researchers need to take into account practitioner preferences for consuming research output– What and how?
• Explicit recommendations in accessible language, delivered face-to-face
Receptive audiences for impact
• Librarians and information scientists from less research-active sectors can learn from those where there is greater engagement– e.g. healthcare librarians
Receptive audiences for impact
• Librarians and information scientists from less research-active sectors can learn from those where there is greater engagement– e.g. healthcare librarians
• There is a need for training to support interest in research, and raise awareness of resources
Receptive audiences for impact
• Librarians and information scientists from less research-active sectors can learn from those where there is greater engagement– e.g. healthcare librarians
• There is a need for training to support interest in research, and raise awareness of resources
• A CPD requirement related to research would encourage greater participation
RiLIES as an example of good practice for impact?
• High relevance– impact agenda
RiLIES as an example of good practice for impact?
• High relevance– impact agenda
• Influential stakeholders– LIS Research Coalition & member bodies
RiLIES as an example of good practice for impact?
• High relevance– impact agenda
• Influential stakeholders– LIS Research Coalition & member bodies
• Practitioner involvement– Project design and project execution
RiLIES as an example of good practice for impact?
• High relevance– impact agenda
• Influential stakeholders– LIS Research Coalition & member bodies
• Practitioner involvement– Project design and project execution
• Dissemination strategy and access– Social media – Face-to-face dissemination
Further information
• On LIS Research Coalition web pages– Project page http://lisresearch.org/rilies-project– Blog updates at http://lisresearch.org
• On Twitter– @LIS_RiLIES
• Project report to be published by the Research Information Network
Acknowledgements
• LIS Research Coalition– especially Michael Jubb & Stephanie Kenna
• Case study interviewees– John Vincent, Dave Muddiman, Pete Dalton, Sheila
Cannel, Alison Brettle, Sue Shaper, David Streatfield• Survey respondents and focus group members• “Supporters”– especially Elaine Fulton, Rhona Arthur, Amanda
Poulton, Alison Brettle, Maria Grant, CILIP
Strengthening the links between research and practice: the Research in Librarianship
Impact Evaluation Study (RiLIES)
Presentation by Professor Hazel HallOnline 2011, London Olympia,
1st December 2011