Profile of LIS Applicants Selecting Different Specialisations

Abstract

The Division of Information Studies at the Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, revised its curriculum in 2000 and defined eight areas of specialisation. Applicants to the MSc (Information Studies) programme were asked to fill out a questionnaire and indicate the specialisation and the subjects in which they were interested. A cluster analysis of students based on the subjects they selected identified four clusters of students corresponding to the following areas: library service, digital library, information technology, and knowledge management. A statistical analysis was then performed to identify the characteristics and background of applicants selecting the various specialisations and belonging to the different clusters. Applicants selecting different specialisations were found to have different profiles, educational and employment backgrounds. Age and gender differences were also found. Applicants tend to select the specialisation that is related to their educational and employment background. Teachers tend to select the school libraries specialisation; people with finance, business and accountancy background tend to select corporate information services and knowledge management; and IT workers tend to select information systems. The library specialisations tend to be selected by arts & social sciences graduates, whereas science and technology graduates prefer information systems and the Internet specialisations. However, the Internet specialisation appears to cut across all sectors, with applicants from every industry selecting it. Gender and age differences were also found. The public library and school library specialisations tend to attract female applicants. The library specialisations also attract older applicants than the information systems and Internet specialisations. Men and younger applicants are more interested in IT subjects, and the knowledge management area tends to be selected by slightly older applicants and male business/accountancy graduates.