Showcasing postgraduate research

Citation

Broady-Preston, J. (2012), "Showcasing postgraduate research", Library Review, Vol. 61 No. 8/9. https://doi.org/10.1108/lr.2012.03561haa.001

Showcasing postgraduate research

Article Type: Editorial From: Library Review, Volume 61, Issue 8/9

As promised in an earlier issue of this 2012 volume (Vol. 61 No. 5) this special issue offers a range of papers from the best of the current crop of postgraduates, based on their theses and dissertations, showcasing the work of new entrants to the profession and providing readable access to cutting edge research. One paper by Emily Gresham and Sarah Higgins was published in that earlier issue, with the remainder now being published in this final double issue for 2012.

The papers published in this special issue result from a general call for papers distributed globally to a variety of lists, and have not been published previously elsewhere, nor submitted to any other journal or conference. All papers submitted were subject to rigorous double blind peer review prior to acceptance, as is now standard practice for all papers submitted to the journal, and especial thanks are extended to all those who participated in the review process.

As outlined below, the papers cover a wide range of topics. The authors are based in a variety of different countries: Australia, Canada, England, Germany, India, Malaysia, and Scotland.

The first paper from Pietras and Robinson outlines how phenomenological and ontological models may prove useful in understanding practical issues of information provision. They examine subject specialism within information and library science; in particular the importance of such specialists being aware of the nature and attributes of the resources and documents in their domain, and the consequences of these for the practicalities of resource description and cataloguing. Using as an example the musical work, they explore three differing perspectives, concluding that bibliographic models may contribute to, and gain from music information, through the centrality of this concept of “work”.

A related theme is explored in the second paper from McCarthy, Welsh and Wheale, in which they outline the findings of a pilot project seeking to develop a methodology for surveying and recording the library records binding information contained in the Bodleian Binders Book. A range of interdisciplinary methods from the Digital Humanities were adopted in order to enhance access to and facilitate interpretation of specialist materials. Significantly, they conclude that text encoding is changing the landscape of library functions, and making manuscript content not only more accessible, but also allowing for the construction of new knowledge.

Based on a doctoral thesis, the third paper provides a valuable overview of oriental manuscripts held in Indian libraries and research institutions, thereby facilitating access to such unique material by scholars, information scientists, librarians and archivists from across the world. The study shows that India has unparalleled collections in this field, and these institutions have made a significant contribution to the successful collection and preservation of manuscripts in a range of different Oriental languages, but predominantly in Sanskrit.

Shari, Haddow and Genoni investigate how the advent of e-research has facilitated collaborative research, via a pilot study applying bibliometrics and webometrics to their examination of research collaboration in Malaysian biotechnology. Whilst the sample size is relatively small, this is one of few studies which examines collaborations using both bibliometrics and webometric methods, and as such, constitutes a key contribution to the emerging body of research literature exploring the nature of research collaborative activity and productivity.

The German research team explore issues in relation to evaluating web search engine accessibility from the broader perspective of disability, together with the concept of inclusion. Differing models of disability are identified and discussed, and the theoretical foundations laid for a future investigation and identification of accessibility problems with web search engines, and the potential barriers for individuals, taking into account diverse types of disability.

Issues in relation to access, use, and relevance are explored in the remaining papers. In the first of these, the Canadian study explores the issue of library as place or space, and its role in facilitating access to much need information provision for the baby boomer generation (or “seniors”) as they move into their Third Age. Set within the context of the contemporary debate on the future of public library services in a digital age, this research paper offers additional perspectives on the changing conceptualisation and service offerings of the public library as place or space. As public library services are provided increasingly remotely and electronically, the authors argue the need for systematic research into the suitability of service models for an ageing population, together with a concomitant need to differentiate between the various age, user and skills profiles found within the “senior” spectrum of public library users when designing and delivering services.

Finally the Child and Goulding paper reports the findings of the first UK-based empirical study analysing the impact of the 2008-2009 economic recession on public library services. Using as a sample the Midlands region of England, they explore the validity of the Jamesian “librarian’s axiom”, which suggests a causal connection between increased public library prosperity (measured by usage) and national economic stringency. They conclude that whilst public libraries have the capacity to play an important role in alleviating the hardship of a recession amongst their local communities, this is not widely understood nor recognised by local and national politicians when making critical decisions with regard to public library budgetary reductions and service closures.

Annual review

This double special issue represents both the last issue of 2012 and the end of my first year as Editor of Library Review. This year has been somewhat of a roller-coaster ride, but one which I have, on the whole, enjoyed immensely, and from which I have learned a great deal. The journal has moved to a double blind peer review system, resulting in increased work for the editorial team, the Editorial Advisory Board, the publisher and all the reviewers. Enormous thanks are owed particularly to the pool of reviewers, without whom, literally, this journal would not be possible. I would also wish to acknowledge the immense contribution of Amanda and Anoush, the Associate Editors, both of whom began work on the journal shortly after I did. We have learned together; ably guided by Ginny Chapman as our publisher.

We also now say goodbye and thank-you to a couple of people who have been key contributors to the journal over the years, Briony Birdi, Associate Editor, and Books Reviews Editor Emma McCulloch, both of whom are moving on to new challenges and opportunities. We wish them well for the future.

In the meantime, we have appointed replacements for both roles, but I will outline these and other changes in the first editorial for Volume 62. Thank-you all for your support and contributions over the last year, and I look forward to the next year.

Judith Broady-Preston