Supporting Information Leadership in a Culture of Change: Researchers in School Librarianship

Abstract

One aspect of the author’s ongoing “Research and Researchers in School Librarianship” project is described here, a study of the researchers in this field. Data collection was based on a questionnaire survey of “current researchers” who have published research articles or papers in the field of school librarianship, in English, from 1999 to 2003 inclusive. Data collection and analysis was ongoing when this conference paper was prepared; this is a preliminary report based primarily on the returns of researchers who had published three or more research articles during the five-year period. Questions addressed include the following: Who writes research articles and papers in English in the field of school librarianshop? How many researchers are there in our field? What are the characteristics of the researchers? What issues are of concern to the researchers and what do they perceive to be the barriers to doing research?