Hi Nicola,
I've had to write papers in all of my other classes except database
design, so we've gotten a pretty good workout in that respect. The
research and evaluation paper is more formal--identify a question or
problem, develop a set of hypotheses, define a methodology, write a
proposal, get IRB approval if using human subjects, do the research,
describe the results, pull out some conclusions, and write the paper.
As IRB approval can take up to a month ot obtain, I chose a topic that
did not require human subejcts. It was still a tight schedule, and the
topic wasn't exactly a burning issue. I really do think that more time
should be allotted, or else the requirement should be modified.
Sharon
On 3/13/09, Nicola J. Cecchino <njc12_at_psu.edu> wrote:
> Hello, I'm a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh's School of [Library
> and] Information Science. The school has changed its name since I
> graduated. At that time (early to mid-90's) we were given the option to do
> a masters thesis or take necessary courses to fulfill the requirements of an
> MLS. I'm happy to say that I'm extremely happy with the education that I
> received from UPitt/SIS because all of the courses were driven towards a
> nice balance of theory and research. So, in either case I would have had to
> write. I was already doing scientific research in a medical lab while
> taking classes, so I chose to take the route of taking classes to fulfill
> requirements (remember - I still had to do research and learn theory). I
> felt that there would be plenty of opportunities to do research publishing
> while in my profession - and believe me - that's come to be. I still
> consider myself a child with lots to learn in this profession - as the floor
> is ever moving. So there are lots of topics to be explored and exploited.
>
> If you have a tremendous interest in what you do - the topics are there by
> virtue of what librarians are doing and how rapidly things are changing.
> The status of libraries and librarianship has always been the same since I
> graduated - it's always changing. Get with your adviser and find out what
> the realistic expectations for the paper are and work closely with her/him.
> What's written on paper always seems daunting - but once you talk it out
> with your adviser, I'm sure you'll get a different take on things. Believe
> it or not, in library land - building relationships with people is key to
> survival. Perfect opportunity to start with your adviser. In the real
> world - you might be asked to write an article for publication and be given
> a week to do it in (experience speaking here) - especially if you are in a
> tenure track position where you have to publish or present. I have to
> admit, it can be stressful at times; however, what I'm contributing to my
> profession and the fact that I am still relevant generates a level of
> satisfaction that's unspeakable once all is said and done.
>
> Just my two cents - Best of luck to you in your endeavor's Sharon..this
> stream was thought provoking!
> Nic.
>
>
> Abisognio, Paula wrote:
> > Dear Sharon, et al.,
> >
> > At first, I was going to reply personally to Sharon, but I decided to
> > share my experience with you all.
> >
> > I know from my "final research project" that there is great variance
> > among the schools in terms of requirements and offerings (the title of
> > my project is "Cataloging Course Requirements in ALA-accredited Master's
> > Programs in the U.S.", but was much more involved than the title
> > implies, covering the program requirements and offerings at all the
> > schools and the entire history of LIS accreditation standards and
> > education, in addition to the cataloging course requirements and the
> > contents of those courses). At my school (GSLIS at QC, or Graduate
> > School of Library and Information Studies at Queens College in Flushing,
> > NY), a "final research project" was, and I believe still is, required.
> > But, just as the schools vary in their requirements and offerings, at
> > QC's GSLIS, at least when I was enrolled, when it comes to the "final
> > research project", there is also great variance in what is required, and
> > my experience is a perfect example. My professor required me, who was
> > working on the project by myself, to do a project so comprehensive and
> > involved that it took me years to complete and at the end I had what was
> > the equivalent of two "final research projects" plus a Ph.D. thesis, yet
> > was only granted an MLS. At the same time, the general requirement was
> > merely to produce the simplest of "final research projects", working in
> > groups as large as six. Need I say more?
> >
> > As you can imagine, I still harbor anger over my experience. Had I had
> > the courage to stand up to her, and had it even occurred to me to do so
> > (though I do remember questioning her about it), I would have refused to
> > do what my professor instructed me to do, i.e., adding the equivalent of
> > a Ph. D. thesis to my "final research project". Thank you all for
> > letting me vent.
> >
> > Paula Abisognio, Catalog Librarian (and Accidental Unicorn System
> > Administrator)
> > Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
> > Cold Spring Harbor, NY
> >
> >
> >
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From: Next generation catalogs for libraries
> [mailto:NGC4LIB_at_LISTSERV.ND.EDU] On Behalf Of Sharon Foster
> > > Sent: Thursday, March 12, 2009 7:08 AM
> > > To: NGC4LIB_at_LISTSERV.ND.EDU
> > > Subject: Re: [NGC4LIB] Three years of NGC4LIB - reflections?
> > >
> > > This is an area that definitely needs an overhaul. At my school--and
> > > maybe at some others, I'm guessing--a one-semester research and
> > > evaluation class takes the place of a master's thesis. At least one
> > > paper gets published almost every semester, so I know it's not
> > > impossible, but in general I think it's very difficult to come up with
> > > a topic that is interesting, important, useful, and doable in one
> > > semester. People I've spoken to who graduated 10 or more years ago
> > > were not even required to take the research and evaluation class.
> > >
> > > Can we take a quick straw poll here? How many of you who have an MLS
> > > (or variations thereon) had to write a thesis, or, if it wasn't called
> > > that, do a major research project? How long did you get to complete
> > > it? Rather than clutter up the list, you can reply to me and I will
> > > aggregate the results.
> > >
> > > Sharon M. Foster, 91.7% Librarian
> > > Speaker-to-Computers
> > > http://www.vsa-software.com/mlsportfolio/
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
> --
> Mr. Nicola J. Cecchino, MLS, AHIP
> Assistant Librarian for Reference and Technology
> George T. Harrell Library, H127
> Penn State College of Medicine
> Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
> 500 University Drive, PO Box 850
> Hershey, PA 17033-0850
> Email: njc12 at psu dot edu
> AOL/AIM: CraZLib
> Phone: 717-531-8630
> FAX: 717-531-8635
> FACEBOOK: http://psu.facebook.com/srch.php?nm=nic+cecchino
> HARRELL WEB: http://www.hmc.psu.edu/library/
>
> PRINT THIS ONLY IF YOU HAVE TO!
> All legal disclaimors are applicable to this email. If you are not the
> intended recipient, then delete it.
>
--
Sharon M. Foster, 91.7% Librarian
Speaker-to-Computers
http://www.vsa-software.com/mlsportfolio/
Received on Fri Mar 13 2009 - 10:13:45 EDT