“Demonstrate understanding of quantitative and qualitative research methods, the ability to design a research project, and the ability to evaluate and synthesize research literature.”
Introduction
Research is key to improving information programs and services. Our systems and practices should be based on well-researched evidence if we are to be effective in helping our users and adapting to ongoing changes. Research does not mean just finding one piece of information and using it to answer one’s question; it means gathering data from multiple sources and compiling them all together in a systemized way to identify trends and note where knowledge is missing. Sometimes it is necessary to make decisions quickly with little information, but by gathering data and building systems and procedures that are based on evidence, we can produce better quality work.
Quantitative and Qualitative Research
Quantitative research involves gathering numerical data. The results of such research are usually easy to display in a chart or present as statistics. Qualitative research is about gathering information about the qualities of something, such as methods, processes, feelings, or thoughts related to the research topic. Some research fields emphasize one of these methods over the other, but the truth is, in every field, both quantitative and qualitative research are important to understanding any topic.
Giordano (2025) wrote an article about how science is always biased (Giordano, 2025). Even when we use quantitative data that seems to be unbiased, the way we gather that data and the way we interpret that data has bias because we are human and we always interpret things based on our own worldview. She uses as an example the idea of how life is conceived. Scientists observed a large number of sperm surrounding an egg and interpreted it as a competition to be the first sperm to penetrate the egg. They interpreted the numbers this way because of their perspective on gender roles: men are active and competitive and women are passive. Later, scientists discovered that the egg actually has to allow the sperm to enter and chooses which sperm to allow to enter. Such a discovery occurred because scientists reconsidered their interpretation of the data and whether they were interpreting it based on their own biases. Qualitative data, i.e. talking to people and considering different methods and processes, helps us overcome our own biases and look at quantitative data in new ways.
Creswell (2013) uses the example of the holocaust to explain the nature of qualitative and quantitative data. Hearing the stories of the people who went through the holocaust helps us understand what people being killed in the holocaust really meant to them and helps us see what it means to us as a society. Seeing the numbers next to the stories helps us realize the holocaust did not just happen to one person, in fact there are a large number of people whose stories we cannot hear because they were murdered. Without seeing the numbers, it is hard to understand that.
User Research for Information Systems and Reference Services
User research is essential for designing effective digital information systems and providing in-person reference services. It involves identifying the needs of potential users and trying to accommodate those needs. Tucker (2023) identifies two types of user research: 1) research published in academic sources and by the user group themselves, and 2) research conducted by companies for their specific needs. The second type is often not shared outside of the company conducting the research. Both types of research are beneficial, and Tucker recommends synthesizing research from academic sources and conducting user research specific to the needs of one’s organization.
Academic research on users is often broad in application and can help information professionals establish a framework for understanding their users. User research specific to an organization’s needs is highly beneficial for applying to a certain situation. This kind of research can involve observing and interviewing users, surveys, focus groups, analyzing potential scenarios in which systems might be used, task analysis, and card sorting. All of these methods involve asking and observing the user and trying to figure out how a typical user looks for information and how information should be organized to make it easy for them to find it.
Historical and Conservation Research for Archives
Conservation research can ensure archival collections are being cared for properly and can last a long time. Conservation research can include synthesizing existing research literature as well as doing hands on experiments in a way that does not risk damage to valuable artifacts. More risky conservation research is best left to experienced conservators, but every archivist can benefit from researching their work and applying it to their needs.
Historical background research is needed to produce finding aids for archival collections. Accurate historical background is essential to giving researchers who use the archives a full understanding of the artifacts’ context. Historical research is unique because the subjects being researched no longer exist. Historical researchers are limited by what records still exist. Because of this, as Presnell (2024) explains, historical researchers must be careful not to use their own biases and assumptions to fill in gaps in the record, but to look at things objectively and recognize that there are some aspects of history that we will never know for sure. In order to do this, researchers should not just rely on secondary sources written by other researchers but also seek out primary sources that were produced at the time of the event in question.
Evidence Items
Evidence Item 1: Evaluating Sources Discussion Posts
My first item of evidence is two discussion posts I wrote for INFO 285: Historical Research Methods. The discussion posts evaluate a journal article and a database based on criteria outlined in The Information Literate Historian (Presnell, 2024). These criteria include author authority, audience and purpose, content, accuracy, and completeness, citations and documentation, and currency.
This item demonstrates my ability to evaluate sources. Determining basic information about the origins of a source, who wrote it, what it was derived from, how old it is, etc. is essential to good research. It helps the researcher look at a document objectively, understanding both the author’s and the researcher’s biases. It helps the researcher recognize what aspects of a source are likely to be most reliable and where there are gaps.
Evidence Item 2: Genealogy Information Community Research Paper
This item is a research paper I wrote for the course INFO 200: Information Communities. In this paper I analyze existing research on the information needs of genealogy researchers, both hobbyists and professionals, and provide insights from my own experience as a genealogy researcher.
This item shows my ability to synthesize research from scholarly communities about the information needs of a specific group, identify gaps and biases in the research, and apply the research to improving information services to a specific group.
Evidence Item 3: User Interface Research: Card Sorting Exercise
This item is a report on a group project I did for the course INFO 202: Information Systems. The assignment (instructions here) was to do a card sorting exercise, a way to gather information for user research when designing an information system. Card sorting is where you have potential users determine how they would organize specific types of information that you want to include in a database or website. How do different people group them together? Different people will arrange things differently, but if you do the exercise with enough people, you will notice overall trends in organization methods. I did the card sorting exercise with myself and one other person and analyzed and discussed with my group mates the results of their card sorting exercises. I also wrote the “What we learned” section of the paper.
This item shows that I understand a commonly used method of hands on user research. It also shows that I know how to discuss, analyze, and describe the results of such research and recognize the pros and cons of card sorting relative to other kinds of user research.
Evidence Item 4: Conservation Research: Adhesives in Photographic Archives
Item four is a research paper I wrote for the course INFO 284: Photograph Preservation. This paper describes literature discussing the preservation of photographic artifacts with three common kinds of adhesives.
This paper shows my ability to locate sources relevant to conservation of artifacts and applying the information to develop conservation procedures. I am not an expert in conservation but knowing how to research conservation topics and ask the experts what they know will help me better learn how to handle the artifacts in my care.
Conclusion
I will continue to conduct research to improve user experience and care of artifacts in my work as an information professional. Developing in this field will require practicing research on my own and studying new research from others relevant to my field. I enjoy this sort of information gathering and will seek out opportunities for research to improve my professional work and locate periodicals that communicate research relevant to my profession.
References
Creswell, J. (Academics). (2013). Telling a complete story with qualitative and mixed methods research [Video]. Sage Research Methods. https://doi.org/10.4135/9781506358390
Giordano, S. (2025, September 8). Scientific objectivity is a myth – cultural values and beliefs always influence science and the people who do it. The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/scientific-objectivity-is-a-myth-cultural-values-and-beliefs-always-influence-science-and-the-people-who-do-it-259137
Presnell, J. (2024). The Information-Literate Historian: A Guide to Research for History Students (4th ed.). Oxford University Press.
Tucker, V. M. (2023). Information retrieval system design: Principles and Practice ([6.2 ed.]). AcademicPub/XanEdu.