Research Exchange and Partnership

Report on a project investigating ALIA's role in research

Introduction

The research initiative project was initiated by the ALIA Board of Directors to develop strategies that would enable the Association to become more proactive in the support and encouragement of Australian library and information (LIS) research, particularly research based in information practice. It sought to identify mechanisms whereby the Association could promote and encourage research and development initiatives for the sector and also to establish a system for coordinating and disseminating information about research and development to the broad sector.

Background

The project was carried out as an extension to work previously undertaken by ALIA over a period of years culminating in a research forum Survival, Improvement, Innovation: how research makes good practice, how practice makes good research in October 2000. Subsequent to the forum, the Board of Directors took up the task of further defining ALIA's role in research and established the following principles:

ALIA values research which underpins the improvement of professional practice and thus seeks to support its national and international reputation and competitiveness by sponsoring and seeking scholarship for applied research which is beneficial to its members and its objects.

ALIA believes in the value of supplier, industry and government partnerships and thus seeks opportunities to work with appropriated bodies in undertaking applied research and disseminating the outcomes for the improvement of professional practice.

Three goals for research were also established:

1. to establish directions, policy and guidelines for research;
2. to foster research and development for and about the library and information sector;
3. to coordinate and disseminate information about research and development.

The research initiative project was conceived and commissioned from Varavena Pty Ltd, with Professor Mairéad Browne, a former ALIA president and Kate Vale as consultants, to assist timely implementation of the principles and goals.

Project methodology

The project was conducted in the first half of 2002. The focus for the project was on practical aspects of research, the development of mechanisms for encouraging and promoting research and development initiatives for the sector, and the establishment of a system for disseminating information about such activities. A set of guidelines and advice for people seeking support for a particular project was also to be developed.

A major task of the project was to profile activity in LIS research in order to gain an understanding of the issues and concerns of practitioners and academics. This was essential for giving a sound foundation for development of strategies which would be appropriate for ALIA and would supported in the sector.

The main source of information was through correspondence and interviews (face-to-face and by telephone) with some eighty people across the states and two territories of Australia. Using a broad definition of research as the reference point, discussion also included the role which ALIA might play in fostering research. Further, an electronic survey of the Council of Australian University Librarians (CAUL) was conducted to determine the extent to which University Libraries were carrying out research projects and had staff members dedicated to research.

Findings

A total of seven main themes emerged from discussion with informants. These are summarised below:

1. Definition and scope of research

Research in practice encompasses a wide range of systematic activity undertaken for the purpose of solving problems, making choices of systems or other significant decisions. Effectively it involves the purposeful collection and analysis of data and outcomes. However practitioners did not tend to label such activity as 'research'. Indeed some informants indicated that this would not qualify to be described as 'research' as it lacked rigour and an overall theoretical framework. A general umbrella phrase such as 'research for innovative practice' may be necessary to encapsulate the breadth of activities and the underlying rationale for research-related activities in a field such as LIS.

2. Level of research activity

Information from interviewees indicated that a large number of research-related activities were taking place in the workplace. These included the production of guidelines for good/best practice, performance indicators, benchmarking, re-engineering and process review projects, state of the art reviews, statistics, as well as reports of practice-based research projects in the conventional sense.

However the situation was different for LIS educators where pressures of increased workloads, additional responsibilities and funding constraints are impacting on their capacity to undertake research. Also there was little evidence of collaborative research taking place between LIS academics and the workplace although there were some instances of academics being employed as consultants by libraries. In many cases practitioners believed that the research priorities of academics did not match the priorities of those involved in the practice. This feeling, however, was not reciprocated by LIS academics, who are keen to work with practitioners and who are endeavouring to engage in research which is applicable to workplace interests.

3. Research priorities

There was little interest in the concept of a Research Agenda, that is of priority topics to be researched, although different groups from the sector did identify topics of importance to their own area. For example, the public libraries sector indicated an interest in social capital and in social impact research, while the question of the value of libraries in economic terms was an important topic for the special libraries sector.

Adequacy of access and other issues relating to statistics were raised but informants generally seemed satisfied with their access to statistics while acknowledging the limitations of these. It appears that priorities for research are being driven by individual libraries at sub-sector level and consequently it would be inappropriate for ALIA to attempt to set priorities for the sector as a whole. This, however does not preclude ALIA from fostering research activity.

4. Patterns of communication

There was some ambivalence about the need for better exchange of information although the need for practitioners to share findings of their research and to communicate their experiences more widely was expressed. There was a perception that very little information about the outcomes of ALIA conferences, statistical reports, projects and other research-related endeavours was being available. If ALIA is to be effective in encouraging exchange of information about research it needs to build on an understanding of the sources of information LIS academics and practitioners use.

5. Building research capacity

A need to prepare more expert researchers who can operate with confidence and standing in both the academic and practice environment was identified. While a successful strategy to build research expertise needs an integrated approach nevertheless ALIA has a role in encouraging the profession to build its capacity for research. This may be achieved by ALIA ensuring that its system of grants, for example, does not exclude research degree students from consideration. There are also opportunities for ALIA to lobby libraries and organisations to implement a series of scholarships and grants for students and newer practitioners. Another approach which encourages high quality research for the workplace is use of joint industry and academic supervisory teams for research student projects

6. ALIA's role in research

While there is certainly interest in research, research in the sector is not seen as a significant practice issue in spite of an increasing trend to using evidence in decision making and in demonstrating performance. However ALIA has an important role in fostering research and for the following reasons should take a leadership role in this:

• the field of LIS in Australia is small and hence needs to ensure optimum exploitation of the resources and expertise in the field;
• there is a culture of sharing ideas and collaborative action which is likely to result in a good response to an ALIA initiative in fostering research;
• as an Association incorporating both practitioners and academics - and their parent institutions - bringing the two groups together to enhance the practice of LIS.

7. Potential partners for ALIA

It appears that there are few potential partners for ALIA in research-related initiatives. The National Library of Australia (NLA) has never taken an active role in stimulating research in the sector and indeed is itself a major researcher and uses its own staff and resources for substantial projects.

At the level of sub-sector, and with sister associations such as the Australian Society of Archivists, there are some very active and effective bodies which may collaborate on projects of mutual interest.

Implications for ALIA

The following implications arise from the issues identified above:

• As a basis for policy ALIA needs a broad enough definition of 'research' so that it takes in purposeful and systematic gathering and analysis of data and information. The term 'research for innovative practice' is suggested as a means of achieving this.
• To encourage increased collaborative work between academics and practitioners, ALIA needs to facilitate better understanding between the two groups so that they do not continue to work in isolation.
• ALIA does not need to coordinate research priorities as areas needing investigation emerge spontaneously from LIS practice.
• There would appear to be little requirement amongst LIS practitioners that ALIA take on a formal role for collecting and disseminating information about research. LIS practitioners indicated a preference for informal channels of communication.
• A greater capacity for research which underpins emerging modes of practice is needed.
• ALIA needs to facilitate cross-sector partnerships between the academy and practice.
• ALIA needs to take the lead in stimulating research and at the same time ensure cross-sector support for individual activities.

Criteria for a successful ALIA strategy

From the findings and implications outlined above, the following criteria were developed on which ALIA could build an appropriate strategy that would actively support and foster research in the sector and which, in turn, the sector would support:

• builds on a very broad definition of 'research' and use of a term such as 'research for innovative practice' to denote the breadth;
• brings practitioners and academics together to promote understanding of the different perspectives and opportunities;
• abandons any attempt to set research priorities or provide coordination;
• includes face-to-face interactions in repertoire of activities for facilitating exchange of information and ideas;
• acknowledges and rewards researchers of the new generation through awards, grants, scholarships;
• gives highest priority to initiating activities and services which cross the sector but at the same time allow sub-sector interests to be accommodated;
• makes choices among activities (all things being equal) for maximum visibility and profile;
• accepts that there are no obvious partners for ALIA's overall effort in fostering research although there will be willing supporters for specific activities, depending on the extent they also meet potential partners' goals.

Three strategies

Three broad strategies which would enable ALIA to play an enhanced role in encouraging LIS research and information sharing about research activities were developed:

• a 'Clearinghouse' strategy for Australian LIS research - a mechanism for recording, coordinating and disseminating information;
• an 'Extended Services' strategy - a range of concepts for services which may be provided as stand-alone or linked to other strategies;
• a 'Research Exchange' strategy - a forum for information exchange of expertise and ideas, development of partnerships and so on.

Clearinghouse strategy

A brief overview of clearinghouses and their purposes was offered and a number of clearinghouse models were analysed to determine the potential for enabling information about research activity to be recorded, coordinated and disseminated. While this indicated a diversity of frameworks, levels of operational sophistication and funding patterns, it became apparent from interviewees that very few believed that a clearinghouse would be an effective method for collecting and disseminating information generated from research activities.

The main reasons for this were:

• nature of LIS community which is perceived as quite structured overall and interwoven with many formal and informal networks;
• strongly expressed preference for use of personal connections for information on professional matters;
• pattern of occasional use only of formal sources of information for personal professional purposes;
• strong opinions that usage levels would not re-pay the effort of establishing a clearinghouse, regardless of where resources might be found;
• expectation that a clearinghouse would have to be general in scope and therefore of little value to groups with very specific interests;
• perception that little research is happening in Australia and what is being undertaken locally is picked up through networks such as CAUL, state and regional public library groups;
• international sources of research-related information were considered more important and these are seen as readily accessible;
• the clearinghouses which had been established to meet a range of perceived needs of the profession have been poorly supported in terms of spontaneous submission of information.

Extended services strategy

This strategy is based on clusters of individual activities or services. It suggests a range of services which could be grafted on to existing member services already offered by ALIA. These extended services would further ALIA's efforts in fostering research and facilitating exchange of information.

Activities were categorised under seven main service clusters:

1. Linking;
2. Developing expertise;
3. Keeping abreast;
4. Recognising;
5. Lobbying;
6. Communicating;
7. Providing tools.

Services to be offered through these clusters would include: a facility for sharing expertise; opportunities for developing specialist skills in research; assistance in remaining up-to-date with developments in the profession; a system of rewarding and encouraging merit in research; creation of sponsorship opportunities for LIS researchers; avenues for dissemination of outcomes of research and information about research; assistance in locating resources and tools for research.

On the basis of discussions in the sector, and the apparent success of similar services offered by other associations, any of the individual services would be supported by members. Further, any of these activities would enhance ALIA's role in encouraging research.

Research exchange strategy

This is conceived as a network focused on bringing library and information (LIS) practitioners including archivists and record managers together, face-to-face, at regular intervals. The opportunities afforded by the meetings are extended and underpinned by a series of on-going virtual activities. It relies for success on the recognised willingness by people in the field to share information and experiences.

The research exchange would be structured as a network of peers working together to exchange ideas and information on an informal basis. It purpose would be to encourage innovation in LIS practice and the focus of work and exchange in the network is the doing of research and use of results be that successful or unsuccessful.

Aims of the exchange

The research exchange would aim to:

• provide a forum for practitioners and researchers to meet face-to-face to discuss the conduct of research and ways to apply outcomes for innovation and improvement to LIS practice;
• link academics, practitioners and students and facilitate the sharing of information across the academy and workplace;
• encourage research partnerships which tap into individual expertise and bring mutual benefit;
• provide opportunities for professional development in areas needed for the conduct of research and the application of outcomes in practice;
• link to useful informal and formal sources of practical information on the conduct of research.

Potential participants

Those participating in the research exchange would include:

• practising professionals with responsibility for collection and systematic analysis of data and information. In general professionals would be LIS qualified but others concerned with an aspect of LIS may also take part, for example, individuals from marketing departments, university 'quality' units, state government departments;
• researchers in university and TAFE LIS departments, research centres, professional research assistants, master-by-research and doctoral students. Again most of these would be qualified in LIS but researchers from allied fields could also participate;
• private consultants (potentially). These individuals could bring high levels of expertise and information to share but we believe there could be a perceived or real conflict of interest;
• others, on an occasional basis, for example practitioners and researchers from cognate fields such as computing systems, knowledge management, museums.

Minimum requirements

To function effectively as a research exchange the following are minimum requirements would need to be met:

• regular face-to-face meetings. One of these meetings should be scheduled to coincide with the ALIA biennial conference but an annual meeting is desirable until the exchange becomes well established and other strategies emerge;
• a web-site linked to the ALIA site with the following minimum elements:
  • 'home-page' information, how to join, structure and aims of RIPE;
  • links to a carefully selected set of sources. Resources such as the guide to getting a project funded and off the ground (see Appendix 10), and other practical articles on key topics. Links to other web-sites should be included; for example, the Museums Australia Evaluation and Visitor Research SIG; the ALA Round Table on Research; Australian Research Council; Australian Association for Research in Education;
  • link to information about ALIA awards and grants - assuming these are amended/extended as suggested in section 3.2;
• short list of individuals agreeable to informally advise and mentor colleagues on aspects of research.
• a listserv discussion group with a moderator to stimulate and respond to issues raised. This would be the main avenue of communication, extending and underpinning the effectiveness of the face-to-face meetings;
• regular Steering Committee teleconferences (6-8 per year) and/or face-to-face meetings to keep activities moving along within an annual programme cycle.

Comparison of strategies

The table below summarises the three strategies relative to the eight criteria [outlined above] deemed essential for ALIA to be successful in fostering research and the exchange of information and ideas around research

Outcomes

The project identified an important role for ALIA in fostering research and offered a draft statement encapsulating ALIA's principles and goals. The main focus for ALIA in supporting research is on applied work and also in bringing together LIS academics and practitioners for mutual benefit and the advancement of practice. An essential element in this is facilitation of exchange of information about research-related activities. This may be best achieved by adopting the Research Exchange strategy which reflects preferences and communication patterns in the LIS field and which would enable practitioners and researchers to work together effectively.

The ALIA Board of Directors received the report at its May 2002 meeting. Noting the rich and varied sources of data on which the project had drawn, the Board recognised the consultants' efforts in presenting a comprehensive and insightful report which provided an authoritative base for decision-making.

The Board confirmed its intention to actively pursue a goal of fostering research for innovative practice and determined to articulate this through a policy statement ALIA's role in research to be developed from the statement of principles (see Background p.1) offered in the report. Interviewees in the project and members of the Peak Bodies Forum would be consulted in the development of the policy statement.

ALIA's main activity in playing a role in research was to be focused on implementing a Research Exchange and Partnership (REAP) based on the minimum requirements outlined for the Research Exchange strategy (see p.8). The possibility of including a research stream in future conference programs was to be investigated and the REAP incorporated into the Association's 2003-2004 planning document: ALIA - making the difference. The REAP program would be officially launched at the ALIA Annual General Meeting in May 2003.