Research within the Disciplines: Foundations for Reference and Library Instruction

by Peggy Keeran (Editor), Michael Levine-Clark (Editor)

Research within the Disciplines is designed to help reference librarians – and students studying to become librarians – gain that deeper understanding of disciplinary differences that allows them to comfortably solve information needs rather than merely responding to questions, and practical knowledge about how to work with researchers in a library setting. The book has three chapters that cover the disciplines at the broadest level – humanities, social sciences, and sciences, plus supplemental chapters that focus on associated disciplines (research in history, business, and engineering, research using government sources) and across disciplines (interdisciplinary and critical information literacy). For the second edition of Research within the Disciplines, several chapters have been added that together give a broader and deeper overview of research across all subject research practices of creative and performing artists and of clinical scientists, research in international documents, research strategies for foreign language materials, and visual literacy across the disciplines. Major shifts in technology have been accounted for that have changed how we do research and have expanded the range of resources available to researchers in all disciplines. All of the chapters have been rewritten or heavily revised; this is much more a new book than a new edition.

Genres: Nonfiction, Reference, Library Science, Information Science

367 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2007

Reviews

[Genifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This books provided useful snapshots of how library research habits and librarian support varies by discipline. The resource lists are less useful from a proactive perspective, but would be helpful for someone new to a discipline or facing a question beyond their usual specialty. Certainly all new librarians should take a look at this title.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like a lot of books for library instruction, this mostly consists of articles that are themelves reference guides to other literature, although it does have the advantage of being subject-based, and of taking the time to examine the specific information needs of various academic disciplines from a user-based perspective. Probably most librarians will find it is most useful in introducing them to areas with which they are not already familiar - for me this was particularly the chapters on engineering and business. Other chapters include those on the humanities generally, music and history, the social sciences, government documents, the sciences, interdisciplinary research and the instructional role of the librarian. This last chapter appears to be based on the most up-to-date research, and may be of use to many who would not otherwise be interested in the book. In all, it lives up to its promise and delivers what is asked for, but does not do so in an especially creative or interesting manner.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Focuses mostly on reference/research services in the academic/college setting. Each chapter is fairly narrow in focus, with some overlap between chapters.

The final chapter seems unnecessary, and might be better placed as an introduction than a conclusion, were I the editor.

[Danica Midlil · Rating 1 out of 5]

So damn boring I couldn't finish it.