Qualitative And Quantitative Research Methods Of Librarians

Librarians need to be familiar with research for a variety of reasons. They need to conduct research in order to assess programs and services, as well as the efficiency and effectiveness of the library environment they are working in. They assist patrons with accessing research materials and conducting research. Many librarians conduct academic and professional research related to their professions. When a librarian is familiar with research methods and how to conduct, analyze, and use both quantitative and qualitative research, they will be much more effective in their organizations, and in assisting the patrons they serve.

One method of completing research is through quantitative methods. Quantitative research methods are focused on …show more content…
They are often very effective in determining statistics based on specific criteria such as age, ethnicity, gender, or other characteristics. These types of criteria are easy to sort and do not require much insight. This is both a benefit and a detriment. While the data is easy to collect, analyze, and report, it does not provide additional information, nuance, or deeper understanding of what the numbers …show more content…
When used individually, they each provide some answers, but also leave out potentially valuable information. If used together in a mixed methods approach, they complement each other and help to reduce potential gaps in the research. This understanding is an essential part of designing a research project. In order to be effective, a research project must include a relevant combination of quantitative and qualitative research. The kind of research needed depends on the goal of the research project, and the question or questions the research aims to answer. If there is action to be taken as a result of the conclusions made by the research project, the need for relevant and quality research is