Document Type
Conference Paper
Conference Name
Standing Conference of Eastern, Central and Southern African Library and Information Associations (SCECSAL XXVI)
Conference Location
Mombasa, Kenya
ISBN
9789914771480
Editor
Tom Kwanya, Irene Muthoni Kibandi, Peter Gatiti
Publication (Name of Journal)
Re-Imagining Library and Information Services in the Digital Era
Department
Libraries
Publisher
SCECSAL
City
Mombasa
Abstract
Implementing research findings influences professional growth, provides evidence, and improves practice. Time and money go to waste if research findings are not adequately used. This study was set to understand how LIS Masters and PhDs research findings influence professional practices in academic libraries. The qualitative study used an online semi-structured interview to collect data from twelve (12) selected academic libraries in the Sub Sahara, Africa. Data was analysed thematically. The participants of this study attest that research findings from Master’s and PhD students are integrated into activities and provide evidence for decision-making. However, no precise mechanism supported the implementation of the findings. Funding, lack of awareness, and resistance to change hindered the implementation of the research. There is no clear link between the researchers and the academic libraries. Academic libraries studied, tracked, and preserved the research using institutional repositories, though they neither have a clear research agenda nor are aware of their parent institutions’ research agenda. The study recommends that academic libraries, to implement research findings effectively, can follow an eight-step-by-step procedure of best principles of implementation science, advocate, and collaborate with partners to secure funds for research. Though researchers have the freedom to decide the research problem, academic libraries should have a voice in some of the research to ease the implementation of the findings. Library schools should include the implementation of research findings or evidence-based practice as part of the research chain to spur innovation and creativity in LIS.
Recommended Citation
Kiwelu, J. E.,
Ogbonna, J. E.,
Ketto, G.
(2024). The Implementation of Research Findings for LIS Professional Practices in Selected Academic Libraries in Sub-Saharan Africa. Re-Imagining Library and Information Services in the Digital Era, 327-336.
Available at:
https://ecommons.aku.edu/book_chapters/608