ALIA research committee report

19 March 2004

Author: Marie Murphy

Objects met: 2, 3, 5

Committee members: Joyce Kirk, Kerrie Burgess, Mari Davis, John Houghton, Don Schauder, Kerry Smith, Naida Tattersall

Report

The group met on 4 November 2003. The group discussed the development of a position statement of research to sit beside the statement ALIA's role in research. Preliminary work will be undertaken to develop the statement.

Don Schauder had represented ALIA at an ASLA meeting to discuss possible research partners and research funding sources. While there was general agreement that a research program demonstrating the importance of school libraries with qualified teacher librarians in achieving enhanced educational outcomes is desirable, there remains the issue of funding and how to attract it. It was appropriate that, at this time, the Association retain a watching brief on further developments.

John Houghton spoke on his report Changing research practices in the digital information and communication environment, noting that the report had attempted to develop a framework to encourage open access to material.

There has been much interest in the REAP initiative though uptake has been slow. Opportunities for publicity through inCite, aliaNEWS and other communication channels are being followed up as well as personal communication with institutional members, LIS schools and other groups.

A research activity plan for 2004-2005 was drawn up. The plan incorporates incorporating the committee's role in enhancing acceptance of the value of research, in fostering research as a career, and demonstrating the important relationship between workforce planning and research activity.