CALL FOR PAPERS: 2017 LIBRARY RESEARCH ROUND TABLE FORUMS
ALA Annual Conference, Chicago, June 22-27
The Library Research Round Table (LRRT) is accepting paper submissions for two Research Forums at the 2017 American Library Association (ALA) Annual Conference in Chicago. The LRRT Research Forums will feature 20-minute presentations of library and information science (LIS) research followed by discussion. Proposals are due midnight Eastern on Monday, May 1, 2017. (See submission information below.) Notification of acceptance will be made on Friday, May 5, 2017.
DESCRIPTION OF THE SESSIONS
LRRT Research Forum 1: Emerging Topics in LIS Research
This session, for practitioners, researchers, educators, and students, will feature three research papers that investigate emerging topics in library and information science (LIS) research. The three peer-reviewed papers will be selected as examples of excellence in research relating to new and under-studied topics in the broad field of information services.
LRRT Research Forum 2: Theory, Methods, and Practices in Library Research: Reports from the Field
This session, for practitioners, researchers, educators, and students, will present three peer-reviewed papers describing research with the potential to make significant contributions to the field of library and information science (LIS). The three papers will selected as examples of research excellence, with a focus on work exemplifying strong use of theory, clear and well-organized research design, and appropriate data gathering and analysis methods.
SUBMISSIONS DETAILS
LRRT welcomes submissions emphasizing the problems, theories, methodologies, or significance of research findings for LIS. Topics can include, but are not limited to, user studies and user behavior, electronic services, service effectiveness, and organizational structure and personnel. All researchers, including practitioners from all types of libraries and other organizations, LIS faculty, graduate students, and other interested individuals are encouraged to submit proposals. Both members and nonmembers of LRRT are welcome to submit.
The selection committee will use a blind review process to select six papers, three for each of the two forums. Authors of the selected papers will be required to present their papers in person at the forums and to register for the conference. Criteria for selection include:
1. Significance of the research problem to LIS research and practice.
2. Quality and creativity of the methodology/methods/research design.
3. Clarity of the connection to existing LIS research.
Note: Research accepted for publication by January 31, 2017, will not be considered.
Each submission must consist of no more than two pages. On the first page, list the author names, titles, institutional affiliations, and contact information, including mailing addresses and email addresses. Also indicate which forum you are applying for:
Forum 1: Emerging Topics in LIS Research
Forum 2: Theory, Methods, and Practices in Library Research: Reports from the Field
The second page must NOT show your name or any personally identifying information. Instead, it must include:
1. The paper title.
2. A 500-word abstract of the research project, including: 1) a problem statement and significance, 2) project objectives, 3) methods/methodology, and 4) conclusions (or tentative conclusions for work in progress).
3. A brief statement saying if the research is complete or ongoing and listing the project beginning and end dates.
Send submissions via email to:
Denise E. Agosto, Ph.D.
Professor
Library Research Round Table Chair
College of Computing & Informatics
Philadelphia, PA 19104