Paradigm Restrictions on Interdisciplinary Research into Librarianship (Research Note)

A study of the evolution of interdisciplinarity in library and information science: Using three bibliometric methods

“…Library and information science emerged as information science was incorporated into the field of library science and library science reacted to the impact of information technology. Therefore, some of the past research focusing on LIS interdisciplinarity selected journals in only library science or information science and found that (a) LIS researchers often cite publications across disciplines (Al‐Sabbagh, 1987; Bracken & Tucker, 1989; Buttlar, 1999; Chen & Liang, 2004; Cheng, 1995; Chikate & Patil, 2008; Chung, 1995; Gatten, 1991; LaBoire & Halperin, 1976; Pluzhenskaya, 2008; Shi, 2002; Tsay, 2008), (b) LIS publications are cited by researchers from various disciplines (Goodall, Julien, Lajoie‐Paquette, & McKechnie, 2005; Meyer & Spencer, 1996; Odell & Gabbard, 2008; Tang, 2004), and (c) that LIS researchers collaborate with researchers from different disciplines (Chen & Liang, 2004; Qiu, 1992). However, most studies have used only direct citation analysis and focused exclusively on the journals cited.…”

A Citation Analysis Study of Library Science: Who Cites Librarians?

“…Gatten's study of interdisciplinary research paradigms in sociology and library science concluded that a research discipline (e.g., sociology) and an applied discipline (e.g., library science) do not share an interdisciplinary paradigm even when addressing the sociological aspect of libraries in journal articles. 8 Gatten determined that researchers in library science demonstrated "a strong tendency to cite library science's own body of literature" and that research reported in the library science literature does not often cite relevant research from other disciplines.9…”

Redefining the Status of the Librarian in Higher Education

“…In this context, Jeffrey N. Gatten found a failure to make use of insights drawn from other specialties and disciplines. 5 This inadequacy is not unique to library and information science. Levels of intellectual insularity affect virtually all disciplines and many rese~rch questions.…”