Closing the researcher-practitioner gap

Hall, Hazel; Cruickshank, Peter; Ryan, Bruce

doi:10.1108/jd-12-2018-0212

Cited by 8 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 69 publications

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“…This may explain, to some extent, why other models and frameworks, such as the international standard ISO 16439:2014, 15 employed often by libraries in Europe were not mentioned (e.g. see Hall, Cruickshank, & Ryan, 2019;Poll, Boekhorst, & Mundt, 2007). Yet, it should be noted that several of the methods for assessing impact listed in the international standard ISO 16439:2014 (e.g.…”

Section: 'Other Methods Of Capturing Impact Might Be Through Mentionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Measuring the impact of special collections and archives in the digital age: opportunities and challenges

Kamposiori¹

2020

LIBER Quarterly

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This paper is based on the outcome of a Research Libraries UK (RLUK) project that aimed to explore and understand the approaches employed by RLUK members for capturing and measuring the impact of activities based on special collections and archives. In today's constantly evolving information and scholarly environment, educational and cultural institutions, such as research libraries, are faced with a pressing demand to assess the value of their services and evidence their impact. As part of our goal to develop a better understanding of how research libraries respond to this demand, we collected and analysed case-study and survey data from across the RLUK membership that show the practices and methods of research libraries for increasing and assessing the impact of their collections and related services. As our results showed, research libraries increasingly employ audiencefocused strategies and take advantage of the new possibilities offered by the digital age to enhance access to collections, reach a range of audience groups and achieve greater impact. However, a number of issues, such as the lack of structured methodologies to capture and evaluate the full reach of digital collections and resources or the long-term impact of collections, can make the process of measuring and evidencing value a challenging task for institutions. In this paper, we will present some of the key findings showing the pathways to impact followed by special collection and archive professionals in the UK and Ireland and reflect on the opportunities and challenges that the digital era presents for increasing and measuring this impact.

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Section: 'Other Methods Of Capturing Impact Might Be Through Mentionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Measuring the impact of special collections and archives in the digital age: opportunities and challenges

Kamposiori¹

2020

LIBER Quarterly

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“…Horowitz and Martin, 2013, p. 80). It is observed, for example, that unless librarians have been directly involved in a particular project, they rarely make use of research outputs (Hall et al. , 2019, p. 1060).…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In 2015, three years after the end of DREaM, the core of the network membership took part in an evaluation of the impact of their participation in the workshops (Hall et al. , 2018, 2019). This exercise generated three key findings.…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The model was previously introduced and discussed with reference to the creation of a single network – Developing Research Excellence and Methods (DREaM) – in three papers published in the Journal of Documentation between 2013 and 2019 (Cooke and Hall, 2013; Hall et al. , 2018, 2019). The main elements of the DREaM model were applied in the establishment of a new network entitled Research, Impact, Value and LIS (RIVAL) in Scotland in 2019.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This paper is also a contribution to the extant body of literature that addresses prior calls to explore network participation and its benefits beyond the presentation of network topologies so that knowledge of research collaborations may be strengthened, and funding bodies may understand their return on investment in networking grants (e.g. Hall et al. , 2019).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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From a network model to a model network: strategies for network development to narrow the LIS research–practice gap

Hall

Ryan

Salzano

et al. 2022

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PurposeThe purpose of the empirical study was to examine whether strategies shown to work well in one model of network development for library and information science (LIS) practitioners and researchers could be applied successfully in the development of a new network and contribute to the narrowing of the research–practice gap in LIS.Design/methodology/approachOverall, 32 members of a new professional network were surveyed by a questionnaire following the completion of a programme of four network events held between 2019 and 2021.FindingsThe analysis demonstrates the transferability of the existing model of network development to a new network and that it can be successfully adapted for online delivery of network events and activities.Practical implicationsThe criteria deployed for the evaluation of the new network could be used in other similar settings. Funding bodies can also use these findings as demonstration of the value of their investment in network grants.Originality/valueThis contribution on means of growing collaborative networks to narrow the LIS research–practice gap stands out in contrast with prior research that tends to focus the support of research productivity of academic librarians in North American universities for the purposes of career development. Here wider aspects of research engagement are considered of value for LIS practitioners from a range of sectors and institutions, beyond North America, for purposes that are broader than personal advancement.

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Research, impact, value and library and information science (RIVAL): Development, implementation and outcomes of a Scottish network for LIS researchers and practitioners

Hall

Ryan

2020

Proc Assoc Inf Sci Technol

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The research‐practice gap in Library and Information Science (LIS) is well documented, especially in respect of the difficulties of translating research into practice, and resultant lost opportunities. While many researchers attempt to explain this research‐practice gap, few suggest strategies to address it. The creation of researcher‐practitioner networks, however, is one approach that has been proved empirically to bridge the distance between the two communities. Such a network is currently operating in Scotland, funded by the Royal Society of Edinburgh. Research, Impact, Value and Library and Information Science (RIVAL) is part‐way through its implementation based around four knowledge exchange events for a network membership of 32 from a wide variety of LIS sectors. RIVAL's successful delivery depends in part on the project leads' experience of undertaking, and evaluating the impact of, a UK Arts and Humanities Research Council funded grant: the Developing Research Excellence and Methods (DREaM) project. Already there are indications that RIVAL is delivering value to network members. There is a strong expectation for this to be enhanced, both in the remainder of the funding period and beyond, offering theoretical contributions to the study of social networks, especially in respect of social capital development to support knowledge exchange.

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Closing the researcher-practitioner gap

Cited by 8 publications

References 69 publications

Measuring the impact of special collections and archives in the digital age: opportunities and challenges

Measuring the impact of special collections and archives in the digital age: opportunities and challenges

From a network model to a model network: strategies for network development to narrow the LIS research–practice gap

Research, impact, value and library and information science (RIVAL): Development, implementation and outcomes of a Scottish network for LIS researchers and practitioners

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