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

Abstract

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.

“How Do You Measure a Relationship?” Assessment and Evaluation Challenges of Knowledge Exchange Activities in Information Work

“…With some exceptions, little research has explored the professional development needs, opportunities and challenges of LIS professionals engaged explicitly in knowledge translation, mobilization and exchange work outside of scholarly communication and publishing (Hall & Ryan, 2021;Van der Graaf et al, 2018). We see this as a fruitful area of inquiry given the potential for LIS professionals to contribute to research impact efforts (Given et al, 2015) and to use KE frameworks to provide a holistic understanding of communityboth how they support it and how they engage in it in practice are connected to the ability to document this type of work and the value placed upon it.…”

Türkiye’de Kütüphanecilik ve Bilgibilim Alanında Araştırma-Uygulama Boşluğu: Makaleler Kapsamında Yazarlık ve İş Birliğinin Bir Analizi

“…Araştırma-uygulama boşluğu üzerine yapılan çalışmaların üçüncü ve son kategorisini; konuya ilişkin bazı projeleri tanıtan çalışmalar oluşturmaktadır (örn. Hall ve Ryan, 2020;Given vd., 2022). Bu projeler, genellikle, akademisyenler ile uygulayıcılar arasında araştırma iş birliklerinin kurulmasını ve etkin hale getirilmesini amaçlamaktadır.…”

“…İskoçya'da yürütülen benzer bir projede ise farklı kütüphane türlerinde çalışan uygulayıcılar, akademisyenler, KB meslek birliklerindeki yetkililer, bağımsız danışmanlar ve araştırma yazılım mühendisi gibi paydaşlar bir araya getirilmiştir. Oluşturulan araştırma iş birliği ağı ile İskoçya'da araştırma-uygulama arasındaki boşluğun ortadan kaldırılması amaçlanmaktadır (Hall ve Ryan, 2020). İlgili projeler özellikle mesleki dernekler ve fon sağlayıcılar gibi paydaşların araştırmacı-uygulayıcı iş birliğinin sağlanmasında önemli rolleri olduğunu göstermesi açısından dikkate değerdir.…”

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

“…Members were recruited through a marketing campaign that included in-person dissemination of news of the establishment of the network at professional events, by sending messages to mailing lists, and through personal contacts. For example, a poster on the award of the grant was delivered and flyers advertising the opportunity for membership were distributed at the Edge conference in March 2019 (Hall and Ryan, 2019); invitations to join the network were issued to Scotland-based individuals who had attended an earlier event on research impact and value hosted by Edinburgh Napier University in Summer 2018 (Hall, 2018a). It is also worth highlighting that four RIVAL members were alumni of the DREaM network research methods workshops in 2011/2012.…”