Research is the process of arriving at dependable solutions to problems/questions/hypotheses through the planned and systematic collection, analysis, and interpretation of data: it may be applied or theoretical in nature and use quantitative or qualitative methods.

- Kennedy, M.R., & Brancolini, K.R. (2012). Academic Librarian Research:  A Survey of Attitudes, Involvement, and Perceived Capabilities. College & Research Libraries, 73(5): 431-448. 

The Medical Library Association's Research Imperative is the organization's committment to creating a culture that supports the presence and growth of information research.  It aims to:

• Develop a culture of research, and
• Create a knowledge-base from which information professionals can draw

Why is library and information science (LIS) research important? 

• It enables you to gain in-depth knowledge of a subject.
• Expanding knowledge of research processes can help you better assist library users.
• Research data may make a case for practice change.
• Quality research leads to connections with professionals.
• It helps us to build an LIS knowledge-base 
  • We should strive to test "what we think we know and validate what we think we have proved." (Plutchak, T.S. (2005) Building a body of evidence. Journal of the Medical Library Association: JMLA, 93(2), 193-5.)

It is critical to formulate a clear and relevant research question.  A great place to start is by identifying questions that arise during your work day.  What questions do you find yourself asking?  Are you performing tasks even though you aren't sure of their usefulness?  For instance, consider evaluating a new (or old) service, technology or policy.

When developing your research question, consider:

• Who is your audience?
• Has this question been answered by previous research?
• What are you trying to accomplish?
  • What are your objectives?

A starting point for future research.

Librarians in the MLA Research Section conducted two Delphi studies (2008, 2011) which attempted to uncover the most important research questions in health sciences librarianship.  Harris, et al. compiled an inventory of these questions and classified them by subject.  This list may serve as a starting point for researchers looking to identify a meaningful research question.

• Eldredge, J.D., Ascher, M.T., Holmes, H.N., & Harris, M.R. (2012). The New Medical Library Association Research Agenda Final Results from a Three-Phase Delphi Study. Journal of the Medical Library Association: JMLA. 100(3), 214-218.
• Harris, M.R., Holmes, H.N., Ascher, M.T., Eldredge, J.D. (2013). Inventory of Research Questions Identified by the 2011 MLA Research Agenda Delphi Study. Hypothesis. 24(2). 5-16.

A research proposal should include the what, how and why of research.

• What are you proposing to do?
• How are you proposing to do it?
• Why have you selected the proposed strategy?

Funded research will require a proposal.  Even if you are not seeking funding, crafting a research proposal will allow you to form the foundation of your research project by clarifying the scope of your work. 

For a detailed discussion of effective research proposal writing, see:

• Eve, Juliet. (2008) Writing a Research Proposal:  Planning and Communicating Your Research Ideas Effectively. Library & Information Research, 32(102): 18-28.

• Booth, A. (2001). Turning Research Priorities into Answerable Questions. Health Information and Libraries Journal 18(2), 130-132.
• Davies, KS. (2011). Formulating the Evidence Based Practice Question: A Review of the Frameworks. Evidence Based Library and Information Practice, 6(2),  75-80.
• Eldredge, J.D., Ascher, M.T., Holmes, H.N., & Harris, M.R. (2012). The New Medical Library Association Research Agenda Final Results from a Three-Phase Delphi Study. Journal of the Medical Library Association: JMLA 100(3),  214-218.
• Eve, Juliet. (2008) Writing A Research Proposal: Planning And Communicating Your Research Ideas Effectively. Library & Information Research, 32.102: 18-28.
• Fennewald, Joseph. "Research Productivity Among Librarians: Factors Leading To Publications At Penn State." College & Research Libraries 69.2 (2008): 104-116. Library, Information Science & Technology Abstracts.
• HEALER Research Toolkit. Stewart, David, Et Al. http://researchflowchart.pbworks.com/w/page/6839792/Welcome%20and%20Acknowledgements.
• Hernon, Peter. "Editorial: Components of the Research Process: Where Do We Need to Focus Attention?." Journal of Academic Librarianship, March 2001., 81.
• Kennedy, M.R., & Brancolini, K.R. (2012). Academic Librarian Research: A Survey Of Attitudes, Involvement, and Perceived Capabilities. College & Research Libraries, 73(5): 431-448.
• Pickard, Alison Jane, and Susan Childs. Research Methods In Information / Alison Jane Pickard; With Contributions From Sue Childs ... [Et Al.]. n.p.: Chicago : Neal-Schuman, 2013., 2013.   Available at UMCP - request via the catalog.
• Plutchak, T.S. (2005) Building a body of evidence. Journal of the Medical Library Association: JMLA, 93(2), 193-5.