Qualitative Research for the Information Professional: A Practical Handbook

Citation

Nurcombe, V.J. (1999), "Qualitative Research for the Information Professional: A Practical Handbook", Library Review, Vol. 48 No. 7, pp. 48-49. https://doi.org/10.1108/lr.1999.48.7.48.3

Research, Qualitative techniques, Information, MethodologyThere are few titles specifically for the information professional on research methodology. The standards on historical and sociological methodology are usually referred to for guidance, along with the many works on social survey and market research or similar topics. Generally this is an adaptation of what already exists, much of which relies heavily on quantitative methods rather the qualitative which the information professional tends to require in order to estimate many of the intangibles in evaluating the effectiveness of services and resources which are not amenable to quantitative methodology. Statistics may be mathematically demanding but qualitative research is not only a hard taskmaster but is difficult to present as a handbook. This text is invaluable.

The very detailed list of contents gives a clear indication of the way in which the practical approach will be followed through. Each chapter is prefaced by the “focus questions” which it should answer. Each concludes with a review, “Where to now?”, which suggests the next steps before further reading presented in a succinct style but as a discussion, not a list. Although the follow‐through in the text is logical the progression suggested may move forward several chapters for certain types of problems or methods. All chapters have full references enabling further research to be undertaken. In all circumstances the currency of the references is notable. As well as this there is a detailed bibliography at the end and a detailed index.

The authors hail from Australia and the USA. This combination gives a refreshing approach. Assistance with the text is also acknowledged from Mary Lynn Rice‐Lively and Lyn Gorman. The aim is to provide a purely practical text not only to those in information but to researchers, to those training and to those in the field. It is easy to dip into and follow as a learning tool. Theory has been excised leaving a manageable text which helps users to learn by example. Clear simple presentation is also a model to follow.

Having examined the distinction between quantitative and qualitative research, the definition on which the volume is based is developed in relation to the practical issues. The progression in the use of methodology from preliminary preparation to broad exploration, to focussed activity and narrower data collection is examined and illustrated in the case studies. Fieldwork then becomes the focus. It has to be defined, fitted in to the research framework and developed before the data‐gathering which will follow can be set out in the guidance for this stage. Various techniques are discussed including newer “group‐centres data‐gathering” and “nominal group technique”. By this time, chapters nine and ten turn to the recording and analysing of the data, suggesting note‐taking techniques and the problems of error and bias, etc. This leads into the writing process and hints on using IT within various contexts, not forgetting the value of paper still as well as an exceptionally clear presentation of the standard report writing techniques. “Sensemaking in the electronic reference centre”, chapter 13, provides a model report of this type of research recognising, at the same time as making qualitative observations, the essentially subjective nature of those observations and the essential questioning of the scene(s) being observed. Few reports would be written as informally as this one.

These pages are packed with ideas for all researchers, new or old. Their advice may be well worn but generally contain new nuggets which make it a worthy read.