1 / 18

Transformation and research trends: dictated by preference

Explore the dynamic shifts in research trends and transformation within the Library and Information Science profession, focusing on adapting to change, embracing diversity, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

delva
Download Presentation

Transformation and research trends: dictated by preference

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Transformation and research trends: dictated by preference Prof Ina Fourie Department of Information Science, University of Pretoria ina.fourie@up.ac.za

  2. Why think about it? • To change the form of… • A complete change… organisation • South Africa • Ubuntu • Better, prettier, nicer, more effective, exemplary,… • We ALL have resources for transformation • Knowledge, open & pragmatic minds, self-knowledge, determination & honesty ina.fourie@up.ac.za

  3. Who needs to think about transformation? • Profession • Management • Teams • Staff • Different levels of “research” required • Variety of research trends & understandings required Need to note the context / environment (globally & nationally) Vision, buying-in, contributions on smaller scale ina.fourie@up.ac.za

  4. Understanding LIS professional understanding • Titles, keywords, implied in the context • Do we make time to search and reflect? • LIS databases (EBSCOHost: Library, Information Science & Technology Abstracts), discussion lists, weblogs, journal TOCs, conferences • Environmental issues: economic, political… • Need to grasp complexity, diversity and gaps (cont.) ina.fourie@up.ac.za

  5. Understanding (cont.) LIS professional understanding Philosophy… Management… Vision, service… Personal growth… Understanding Scope & meaning Systematic reviews Alerting services Collaboration Seeking Information, evidence, knowledge… Opinions, research reports (failures & successes), legislation, … Tools, methods, theories… ina.fourie@up.ac.za

  6. Understanding (cont.) LIS professional understanding – Trends • South Africa: 1994 – 1997, organisational, services – linked to political changes – addressing inequalities • Africa: impact of Internet… • International: organisation, building, serials, cataloguing, acquisitions, profession, education, information literacy… (cont.) ina.fourie@up.ac.za

  7. Understanding (cont.) LIS professional understanding – successes and failures LIS professional understanding – finer detail and specifics ina.fourie@up.ac.za

  8. Understanding (cont.) Potential researcher’s understanding • Personality • Learning style • Self efficacy • Beliefs • Commitment & dedication • Knowledge, skills, creativity, resourcefulness Difficult to change Need to identify & work on ina.fourie@up.ac.za

  9. Understanding (cont.) Potential researcher’s understanding • Allowing people to focus on specific dimensions most suitable to them… • Getting individuals at all levels involved in “small scale” research might improve success of transformation ina.fourie@up.ac.za

  10. Research agendas concerning transformation • Visionary – organisational change, impact on human resources, moving & motivating people, learning organisation, etc. • Worldview, experience, … • Choices: (holistic view of) trends or preferences? (cont.) ina.fourie@up.ac.za

  11. Research agendas concerning transformation (cont.) • Processes & services (e.g. cataloguing, acquisitions, training, reference services) • Choices: Note trends, unavoidable… • Allow for personal preferences regarding finer aspects • Human resources: change management & changing mindsets ina.fourie@up.ac.za

  12. Choices for research • Depend on what we are monitoring & noting • Environmental scanning, scenario building, collection of data on user needs, etc. • How we are noting: individual work (e.g. post-graduate study), collaboration, networking, etc. ina.fourie@up.ac.za

  13. Transformation and mindsets • About changing mindsets – often large scale levels • Cannot escape on the impact of • mindsets • learning styles • worldviews, etc. and the choices we make ina.fourie@up.ac.za

  14. Acknowledging… • Resources for gathering information (and their inadequacies) • Shaping impressions of the wider environment • Rationale for choices • Information used for “research” – what do we really “see” BALANCE ina.fourie@up.ac.za

  15. Admitting… • Preferences (e.g. focus, tools, methods) • Shortcomings • Need to learn from others • Experiences • Learning from failures… in context… as framework for improvement ina.fourie@up.ac.za

  16. Committing… • Monitoring trends --- on a scale appropriate to role in transformation • Improving ability to move beyond personal preferences • Systematic refinement of required skills • Publishing research results in a context that can ensure ongoing transformation of the LIS research culture ina.fourie@up.ac.za

  17. Conclusion • There are some trends in reports on large scale organisational transformation • There are many trends in reports on facets relevant to the LIS profession & wider environment • We cannot escape the impact of personal preferences – but we can use it to our benefit ina.fourie@up.ac.za

  18. Thank you for your attention Prof Ina Fourie Department of Information Science, University of Pretoria ina.fourie@up.ac.za (012) 420-5216 ina.fourie@up.ac.za

More Related