Monday, September 7, 2009

Workshop Announcement

Research Methods Workshop For Librarians

COPPUL is pleased to announce that it is sponsoring a free workshop on research methods for librarians at member institutions. The co-sponsors of this event are:
• Simon Fraser University
• UBC
• University of Alberta
• University of Manitoba

Dates, Locations and Registration:
This workshop will be held in three different locations:
1. Monday, October 19, in Vancouver (SFU Harbour Centre, Sauder Industries Policy Room, RM 2270). To register, go to: http://toby.library.ubc.ca/booking/description.cfm?sessionid=6575 or contact: Kathy Hornby kathy.hornby@ubc.ca
2. Wednesday, October 21, in Edmonton (University of Alberta, Lister Hall, Wild Rose Room) - To register, contact: Kathleen De Long Kathleen.Delong@ualberta.ca
3. Friday, October 23, in Winnipeg (Greenwood Inn, 1715 Wellington, Elm Room) - To register, contact: Karen Adams adamsk@cc.umanitoba.ca

Schedule:
The workshop will be held 8:30 am to 4:30 pm in each location. Lunch will be included.

Attendance:
The workshop is limited to 50 participants. Librarians wishing to attend and have not already registered provincially should contact the appropriate person listed above by September 25.

Content:
Over the past few years there has been an increasing emphasis on the role of librarians as researchers. But how do we, as librarians, make the leap from the gathering of information to systematic research, study and analysis?

This workshop is intended as an introductory to intermediate look at research methods, practices and strategies. Participants will learn tools and techniques for making the leap from interesting ideas to researchable topics, and from "how we done it good" reports to publishable research. The workshop will also touch on issues such as finding time to write, forming research teams, and working with colleagues from other disciplines.

Specifically, the workshop will cover:
• Overview of the research process
• Writing Research proposals
• Literature reviews
• Research methodologies
• Survey research
• Writing good research
• Analyzing & reporting results
• Statistics
• Ethical issues

Presenters:
• Dr Nancy J. Busch, Associate Dean for Administration, University of Nebraska Lincoln Libraries
• Dr Joan Giesecke, Dean of Libraries, University of Nebraska Lincoln Libraries.

About the Workshop Presenters:

Dr Busch has taught masters and doctoral level research methods classes and has experience in evaluation and assessment initiatives in public, academic and state libraries. Her doctoral research examined recruitment and retention of rural public library directors in the U.S.

Dr Giesecke’s research interests include organizational decision-making and management skills. She has published on management and supervisory skills and has just completed a book on emotional intelligence and academic library leaders.

Dr Busch and Dr Giesecke delivered this workshop to participants in the ARL Leadership and Career Development Program in 2007 as well as to a number of other university libraries throughout North America, including University of Saskatchewan in 2008.