Library And Information Science Field Research Articles

Influence and collaboration in library and information science research: A university perspective

Objective. The objective of this study was to examine the influence and collaboration patterns within library and information science (LIS) research, with a particular focus on the contributions of universities over time. Design/Methodology/Approach. This study used bibliometrics and LIS network analysis to examine 14,517 articles indexed in Scopus from 1954 to 2023. The Bibliometrix R-package was used to identify publication trends, influential institutions, authors, and collaboration networks in the LIS field. Findings. The key findings indicated that Wuhan University was the foremost institution in LIS research, with notable contributions from Chinese scholars who were identified as the most influential authors in the field. The keywords “information science” and “information retrieval” emerged as common thematic areas, reflecting core research interests. The content analysis also revealed that LIS research had robust connections with fields such as physics, computer science, and information technology, underscoring an interdisciplinary trend. Originality/Value. This study offered original insights into the evolving landscape of LIS research, identifying both leadership in academic output and potential gaps in current research coverage. It underscored the necessity for future research to expand the scope of its database and refine keyword selection for more comprehensive representation. The findings contributed to the strategic development of LIS research and the fostering of international collaboration.

Development overview and research hotspots of Information Science & Library Science based on SSCI data

This study uses the scientometric method to analyse the literature to summarise the development overview and research hotspots in the field of Library and Information Science (LIS), aiming at sorting out the knowledge structure of the discipline and providing references and information for deepening its research and development. This article takes 85 Social Science Citation Index (SSCI) journals in the field of LIS as the research object, from which 116,570 articles from 1900 to 2023 are collected as the basis of data analysis. It employs the scientometric method based on visualisation software to analyse four dimensions of the LIS discipline: annual publications, journal outputs distribution, production and cooperation, and present focus and research hotspots, finding that the overall development of the discipline is stable and shows some new topics.

Provocations on iSchools and Librarianship: New Priorities for LIS Forward

ABSTRACTFor the last twenty years, the field of library and information science (LIS) has been evolving within the context of iSchools. Now, organizationally melded with other information fields, LIS is better positioned than ever to synergize expertise across disciplines to benefit librarianship. However, the recent LIS Forward position paper asserts that dynamics are changing within iSchools in ways that can strengthen or diminish LIS, surfacing critical tensions and issuing recommendations for the iSchool community. This panel assembles thought leaders to share new perspectives on the provocations of the position paper and to further advance the conversation with the ASIS&T community. The group will consider themes of diversification, competition, and identity and explore two urgent professional concerns—Black librarianship and AI. A moderated discussion will be documented to inform future engagement on charting directions, investments, and grand challenges for the field of LIS and the profession.

Unveiling novelty evolution in the field of library and information science in China

PurposeThis study aims to analyze the distribution of novelty among scholarly papers in the field of library and information science (LIS) in China. Specifically, this study explores the distribution of novelty of papers in various journals, research topics and different periods. It is possible to understand the characteristics of LIS research in China and what factors have influenced it.Design/methodology/approachThis paper collects articles published in Chinese library science journals indexed by the Chinese Social Sciences Citation Index from 2000 to 2022. The BERTopic model is used based on abstracts of the papers and to obtain the topic of each paper. Based on the combination innovation theory of reference pairs cited by focal papers, novelty scores of all papers are calculated. Next, this paper analyzes the novelty of papers under different topics. Finally, this paper analyzes the differences in author collaboration patterns across various topics, aiming to explain how these differences relate to the novelty of papers from a collaborative perspective.FindingsThis study shows that archival research topics have lower novelty than papers on journal evaluation and patent technology in Chinese LIS. Research papers in this field are gradually becoming more novel over time. Papers on different topics and with varying degrees of novelty exhibit distinct author collaboration patterns, with low-novelty topics more frequently featuring solo authorship, while high-novelty topics tend to involve a higher percentage of inter-institutional collaboration.Originality/valueThis study investigates the novelty characteristics of research papers on different topics in the field of LIS in China. The authors’ contribution includes visualizing research hotspots and trends in the field and analyzing authors’ collaboration patterns at the level of research topics, thereby providing new perspectives on the factors affecting the novelty of these papers.

Alternative-academic careers of LIS in China: Trends, challenges, and opportunities

This study investigates the state of alternative-academic careers (alt-ac) in Library and Information Science (LIS) within China, based on the transformation of the LIS academic market over a 5-year span (2018–2022). The study employs a unique dataset of job postings collected through first-hand field investigations and meticulous manual preprocessing. A comprehensive analysis of the dataset was conducted using a combination of the BERT-BiLSTM-CRF model for named entity recognition, social network analysis for examining interdisciplinary interactions, and descriptive statistics for characterizing the distribution and trends of alt-ac positions. The results reveal that alt-ac positions account for 48.3% of the total demand in the field, distributed across nine categories: academic research institutions, government departments, military organizations, public libraries, and others. Each category exhibits unique developmental patterns. Over 20 distinct alt-ac roles were identified, such as data librarians, competitive intelligence specialists, transformative OA agreement negotiators, and scholarly communication experts, highlighting the ongoing emergence of new positions in response to institutional evolution. Descriptive statistics showed that the demand for alt-ac positions was notably concentrated in economically advanced regions, with the East China region accounting for 32.58% of the total positions, surpassing the proportions in North China (26.22%) and South China (13.86%). Social network analysis revealed substantial interdisciplinary interactions between LIS and other areas, such as computer science and public administration, suggesting potential opportunities for collaboration and competition. The findings emphasize the growing significance of alt-ac in China’s LIS field and provide insights into the dynamic landscape of the academic job market, offering implications for LIS education and workforce development strategies.

Artificial intelligence for library and information science education: using mnemonics to improve learning and retention

Purpose This paper aims to familiarize students and instructors in the field of library and information science (LIS) with some features and benefits of mnemonics in the context of learning artificial intelligence (AI). Design/methodology/approach A narrative review among literature exists on mnemonics, AI and library services. Findings In the field of LIS, the use of mnemonics can be highly beneficial for both students and instructors. Mnemonics can aid in the retention and recall of complex concepts, classification systems, information retrieval strategies, jargon learning and library memory that are fundamental to the field. In the field of AI, mnemonics can be a valuable tool for students learning complex algorithms, concepts and techniques. Mnemonics can help students remember key components of AI models, understand the underlying principles and apply them effectively in problem-solving. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this paper is among the first ones exploring the use of mnemonics for learning subject areas related to artificial intelligence in LIS.

DIGITAL EDUCATION AT EUROPEAN HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Objective. The objective of this study was to identify and interpret state-of-the-play of the implementation of digital education (DE) in higher education institutions (HEIs) in the field of library and information science (LIS) during COVID-19 pandemic. Approach/Methodology/Design. In order to collect data, a questionnaire-based survey was conducted. A survey for the study's target audience - the heads/directors of LIS schools/departments in Europe - was created and disseminated. The collected data were analyzed using the method of descriptive statistics. Results. The survey was completed by the heads/directors of 56 LIS schools/departments in 23 European countries. The results indicate that DE presents a positive disruptive force that transforms the teaching and learning process and widens access to education, especially in crisis situations. It also indicates that despite the need for emergency response, almost all aspects of DE were deliberately and successfully implemented in most of the LIS higher education institutions. Further analysis of core topic areas (through interviews and focus groups) will provide a deeper insight into teachers' and students' practices and their overall appraisal of DE during the pandemic. Limitations. Limitations include the methods used to collect data and the lack of clarity and understanding of certain terms and concepts by a small number of participants. Originality/value. This paper offers an in-depth understanding of the role of DE in crisis situations within the field of LIS. It underlines the necessity for consistent monitoring and evaluation of DE to guarantee its quality. Consequently, this paper may contribute to more effective policy and decision-making processes concerning DE. Moreover, it aims to help create frameworks and guidelines that facilitate simpler, more sustainable, and broader implementation of DE in LIS HEIs.

Волонтерская деятельность в библиотечно-информационной сфере как инструмент культурной интеграции общества

Volunteering activity of the library and information science organizations as a key social institution in the culture formation our country is analyzed. The author’s definition of the library and information science organizations is presented. Information about the volunteer activities of the library and information science organizations located in 11 districts of St. Petersburg was identified and systematized. A sociological survey aimed at identifying the best volunteering practices in the library and information science (LIS) field was developed and evaluated. The directions and formats of volunteering are considered, as well as the activities of LIS organizations’ project activity in which volunteers from various fields are invited to participate (including LIS field). Particular attention is paid to the consideration of volunteer associations operating based on the LIS organizations. In particular, the experience of the volunteer union “Postmen of Good” based on St. Petersburg State University of Culture was considered. Recommended actions for the development institute of volunteering are based on the results of the study.

Advocating for a more active role for the user in LIS participatory research: a scoping literature review

PurposeThrough a review of the literature, this article seeks to outline and understand the evolution and extent of user–participant involvement in the existing library and information science (LIS) research to identify gaps and existing research approaches that might inform further methodological development in participant-oriented and design-based LIS research.Design/methodology/approachA scoping literature review of LIS research, from the 1960s onward, was conducted, assessing the themes and trends in understanding the user/participant within the LIS field. It traces LIS research from its early focus on information and relevancy to the “user turn”, to the rise of participatory research, especially design-based, as well as the recent inclusion of Indigenous and decolonial methodologies.FindingsThe literature review indicates that despite the reported “user turn”, LIS research often does not include the user as an active and equal participant within research projects.Originality/valueThe findings from this review support the development of alternative design research methodologies in LIS that fully include and involve research participants as full partners – from planning through dissemination of results – and suggests avenues for continuing the development of such design-based research. To that end, it lays the foundations for the introduction of a novel methodology, Action Partnership Research Design (APRD).

Skill analysis of library and information science professionals

This paper investigated professional skills for library and information science (LIS) professionals based on the American Library Association (ALA) job website. The study identified job categories and library types, examined required soft skills and professional skills, and analyzed the relationships between professional skills and job categories, and the relationships between professional skills and library types as well. Data mining, subject analysis, and information visualization methods were used in the study. The findings of this study show that the LIS field demands a wide range of comprehensive professional skills. In total, over 160 distinct professional skill requirements and 24 skill themes were uncovered. Across various LIS job categories, an average of 8.84 professional skill themes per job category was found to be necessary for success. Among these skill themes, certain ones stood out as particularly in-demand, including: Productivity Software, MARC Standards and Guidance, Integrated Library Automation, Programming, and Data Analysis. Furthermore, it was observed that the specific professional skill requirements varied across different types of libraries. Notably, Academic/Research (College/University) libraries and Public Libraries stood out as two types that demanded a broader range of professional skill themes compared to other types of libraries. The findings of this research study can inform library and information science researchers, educators, and professionals to better understand the LIS professional skill requirements, improve existing curricular systems, and develop new courses to meet the job market needs.

A scientometrics analysis of equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility (EDIA) literature in library and information science profession

Purpose Equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility (EDIA) are the core values of librarianship. This study aims to examine the EDIA literature in the library and information science (LIS) profession, focusing on publishing trends, authorship patterns, thematic evolution, co-occurrence network, international collaboration network and three-factor analysis. Design/methodology/approach A scientometrics analysis was performed, and data were retrieved from the Web of Science database following a four-phase data extraction and filtration process. Data analysis was performed using specialized scientometrics tools. Findings Most of the published work comes from the developed world. The thematic evolution identified that the initial period (1971–2010) was dedicated to the diversity of library resources, services and users. The second phase (2011–2015) concentrated on accessibility and information literacy. The recent period (2016–2021) is linked with social inclusion, diversity and accessibility. Furthermore, the co-cluster citation and content analysis identified five major interconnected streams in the EDIA literature in LIS: disability and accessibility; diversity, inclusion and recruitment; social justice and libraries; libraries and immigrants; and libraries and the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, queer community. Research limitations/implications Theoretical, practical and implications for policy makers and curriculum developers were added to create awareness and better observe EDIA in LIS field. Originality/value The identification of research streams is one of the most important findings of this study, which shows that some areas of EDIA are maturing and others are emerging in the profession.

Transparency in the Application of Theoretical Frameworks to the Advancement of Knowledge in Selected Library and Information Science Journals: A Systematic Review

The purpose of this systematic review was to determine the extent of theoretical transparency in library and information science (LIS) scholarship. Many studies have looked at theorising and the use of theory in LIS. Unlike previous studies this research provides insights into transparency in the use of theoretical frameworks in the LIS field. Transparency is essential because different researchers employ the terms theory, theoretical framework, and conceptual framework in various ways.The transparent use of theory and the resultant theoretical framework enables other researchers to assess whether the theory is appropriate, consistent, and coherent with the empirical evidence. This systematic search followed Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines for reporting on systematic reviews supported by ADIMA®. A total number of 138 out of 2029 articles from 12 LIS-focused journals were analysed in March 2023. Most of the articles (88.6%) specified the framework they used. There was a high level of transparency in relation to the suitability of the theory to address the research problem. The degree of openness about the aim to utilise a theoretical or conceptual framework was moderate to high. The articles had a low or minimal level of transparency when it came to justifying why a certain theory was chosen for the study. Theory dropping was not apparent in the articles. The results from the articles demonstrate that LIS scholars appreciate that a theoretical framework or conceptual framework must be used in research. To ensure that readers understand the rationale behind the theories chosen for a study, it is necessary to be open about the reasons behind the selection of a particular theory. The explanation of how the theory contributed to explaining the phenomenon of interest is also essential. This article might help scholars get beyond theoretical obstacles related to the transparent use of a theoretical framework and produce theoretically sound research. It also opens discourse on “best practice” in the use of analytical tools forresearchin the advancement of knowledge.

Bibliometric Study of Open Educational Resources, Open Textbooks, and Academic Librarianship: Assessing Trends and Scholarly Productivity in Library and Information Science

Open Educational Resources (OER) play a key role in reducing the financial burden and increasing the accessibility of learning for students in higher education. OER can be considered an important field of research for academic librarians and supports the democratic mission of academic libraries. This study aimed to track the publication of scholarly literature about OER and higher education from 2002 to 2022 using a bibliometric research methodology. In addition, this research sought to assess the productivity of Library and Information Science (LIS) scholarship on this topic and investigate research trends, like open textbooks. Web of Science (WOS) was searched for publications and the search results were mapped to determine publication productivity, core authors, core journals, and research topics in the scholarly literature about OER and higher education. Research on OER has been steadily increasing since 2002, and this study indicates that research has increased significantly on the topic in the last six years. The data in this study support that most productivity in research on this topic is in the field of Education, but also found a presence of scholarship on the topic in the field of LIS.

LISCrit

Critical Race Theory (CRT) is an intellectual framework intended to explain the day-to-day situations that affect the lives of members of minoritized groups. Its main goal is to help bring about revised social and systemic structures, which in turn can ameliorate the detrimental effects of racism and racist systems for historically marginalized and excluded groups. As a framework, CRT stands on a set of principles which serve as a foundation. Although the wording and structure of these principles varies among scholars, some of the ideas presented are stated throughout. For example, some of the main principles for CRT is that racism is ordinary and not aberrational, that race is a social construct which is not objective, inherent, or fixed on any genetic or biological reality, making it a purely social phenomenon, and that CRT due to differences in their historical experiences with oppression, Black, American Indian, Asian, and Latinx individuals are better equipped to communicate their experiences than their white counterparts (Delgado and Stefancic, 2017).
 These principles have been met with active resistance on multiple fronts which have started all the way at governmental levels. The debate is particularly incendiary in the field of education, where there has been strong pushback and hostility. This mostly over the assumption that CRT based curricula is being applied to education in public K-12 school systems. Most of these arguments do not take into consideration that CRT itself is taught at the graduate level as a method of analysis, it is not a topic taught in K-12 settings. This opposition to CRT has been so strong that as of 2021, 16 states were pushing legislation banning the teaching of CRT in public institutions of higher learning (Flaherty, 2021).
 This volatile and increasingly resistant environment serves only to highlight the importance of centering CRT, especially for a field such as Library and Information Science (LIS), but particularly for LIS pedagogy. The LIS field has lagged behind on many aspects related to bringing about racial equality, despite a generalized idea that the field is a pioneer of social equality and egalitarianism (Cooke and Colón-Aguirre, 2021; Ettarh, 208; Honma, 2005). As LIS educators, we must focus not only on preparing our students for the work they will perform but also to present the challenges faced by their chosen career.
 In what Colón and Cooke have named LISCrit (for CRT in information science) (2022), CRT is foundational to the equity LIS strives for. Seen from this perspective it is essential that as LIS professionals and educators we understand that if we can’t name the structural and racist barriers and oppressions that CRT warns of, we can’t address them. This inability in naming and identifying barriers means that true and sustainable equity will not be possible. Bringing CRT more squarely into the LIS ecosystem is necessary and provides the language for much needed innovation, assessment, and change.
 Buy in from the field at all levels is required in order to bring LISCrit to the future generations of information professionals, and one of the ways to do that is to clearly and consistently demonstrate how CRT undergirds and informs the profession and its teachings. The tenets are CRT are baked into LIS, one only need to look closely and critically through a lens of intellectual and cultural competence and humility.
 In this presentation the panelists will discuss their efforts to infuse CRT into graduate LIS curricula (LISCrit). The discussion will focus on three main initiatives geared at bringing about more discussions and enabling the field’s multiple facets to benefit from the contexts and discussions which CRT facilitates. The panel will take place in three parts, including:
 
 Colón-Aguirre and Dr. Cooke (2022) will discuss their article that introduces the LISCrit framework and its main propositions,
 Colón-Aguirre and Dr. Cooke will share their scholarly efforts to produce an edited collection (Advances in Librarianship) and special journal issue (Library Quarterly), which have been designed to enable LIS educators to better include this content in their LIS classrooms,
 Harris will present and demonstrate a digital CRT in LIS toolkit developed through an American Library Association Carnegie Whitney Grant.

Spectrum Fellows

Critical Race Theory (CRT) is an intellectual framework intended to explain the day-to-day situations that affect the lives of members of minoritized groups. Its main goal is to help bring about revised social and systemic structures, which in turn can ameliorate the detrimental effects of racism and racist systems for historically marginalized and excluded groups. As a framework, CRT stands on a set of principles which serve as a foundation. Although the wording and structure of these principles varies among scholars, some of the ideas presented are stated throughout. For example, some of the main principles for CRT is that racism is ordinary and not aberrational, that race is a social construct which is not objective, inherent, or fixed on any genetic or biological reality, making it a purely social phenomenon, and that CRT due to differences in their historical experiences with oppression, Black, American Indian, Asian, and Latinx individuals are better equipped to communicate their experiences than their white counterparts (Delgado and Stefancic, 2017). The volatile and increasingly resistant environment serves only to highlight the importance of centering CRT, especially for a field such as Library and Information Science (LIS), but particularly for LIS pedagogy. The LIS field has lagged behind on many aspects related to bringing about racial equality, despite a generalized idea that the field is a pioneer of social equality and egalitarianism (Cooke and Colón-Aguirre, 2021; Ettarh, 208; Honma, 2005). As LIS educators, we must focus not only on preparing our students for the work they will perform but also to present the challenges faced by their chosen career. Buy in from the field at all levels is required in order to bring LISCrit to the future generations of information professionals, and one of the ways to do that is to clearly and consistently demonstrate how CRT undergirds and informs the profession and its teachings. The tenets are CRT are baked into LIS, one only need to look closely and critically through a lens of intellectual and cultural competence and humility. In this presentation the panelists will discuss their efforts to infuse CRT into graduate LIS curricula (LISCrit). The discussion will focus on three main initiatives geared at bringing about more discussions and enabling the field’s multiple facets to benefit from the contexts and discussions which CRT facilitates. The panel will take place in three parts, including: Colón-Aguirre and Cooke (2022) will discuss their article that introduces the LISCrit framework and its main propositions, Colón-Aguirre and Cooke will share their scholarly efforts to produce an edited collection (Advances in Librarianship) and special journal issue (Library Quarterly), which have been designed to enable LIS educators to better include this content in their LIS classrooms, Harris will present and demonstrate a digital CRT in LIS toolkit developed through an American Library Association Carnegie Whitney Grant.

Gender difference in library and information science research

The study aims to ascertain the gender differences in the research productivity, research impact, collaboration pattern, funding, and self-citations of male and female authors belonging to the field of Library and Information Science (LIS). The top twenty-four (24) journals belonging to the LIS field ranked as per impact factors in Journal Citation Report (JCR) offered by Clarivate Analytics were analyzed. Only those journals that provided author biographies at the end of each article were selected. To ascertain the information regarding the gender of an author, biographical sketches provided at the end of each article were examined. Google Scholar was consulted to collect data on citations. For self-citations, references of each paper were thoroughly checked, and self-citation, if found, were tabulated for analysis. Collaboration pattern in terms of gender preference was studied under national and international categories. If collaborating authors belonged to the same country, the collaboration pattern was deemed national, and if the collaborating authors belonged to different countries, the pattern was deemed international. The acknowledgment section of each article was thoroughly checked to collect information on funding characteristics. Countries of origin belonging to authors were ascertained and were classified into three regions i.e. European, Non-European and Cross-Cultural. Then the relationship between the region and author productivity under various authorship patterns was studied. Later, Descriptive Statistics, ANOVA, T-test, and Chi-Square tests were applied to ascertain the significance of the results. Males and females on average are almost equally productive in the field of LIS. Males receive more citations for their manuscripts, creating more research impact than their female counterparts. It is further found that males and females prefer to collaborate with authors of the same gender. Moreover, males are more active and visible on the international collaboration side, while females are more active on the national side of collaboration. Regarding the research papers reporting on funding, it is found that the female gender has more likelihood of receiving funds for their research. Further, it is found that male authors are more involved in self-citations than females. Moreover, it is also revealed that female researchers are more research productive in Non-European countries while in European and Cross-Cultural regions men are still dominant in terms of research productivity. The study considers 24 prominent journals in the LIS. Since the journals are novel in the field, these provide a clearer view of the existence or absence of gender bias in the field. Only 24 prominent journals belonging to the LIS are considered, and the scope is limited to 5 years only. If more journals are considered and the study’s period is expanded, the results may vary from the present study’s findings. The study will let the stakeholders know whether there exists any gender disparity in LIS research. As the study focuses on the different areas and facets of research, it will enable professionals to identify the areas of gender bias and work toward resolving the issue. Further, the study will provide a bird’s eye view of the LIS field from the perspective of gender bias.

Usage frequency and application variety of research methods in library and information science: Continuous investigation from 1991 to 2021

The present study analyzed over 26,000 research articles published between 1991 and 2021 in twenty-one major LIS (Library and Information Science) journals, using the machine learning (ML) approach to categorize the research methods used by LIS scholars. The findings of this study are significant. Firstly, there has been a shift in the research strategy from conceptual research (e.g., "Theoretical approach") to empirical research (e.g., "Interview") in LIS investigations over the past 31 years. Secondly, the research topics explored by LIS scholars during this period have moved from system-centered issues (e.g., "Information retrieval/models and algorithms") to user-centered topics (e.g., "Information services "). Thirdly, the study revealed dynamic and revealing relationships between the 18 research topics identified in the study and the 16 research methods commonly adopted in the LIS field. These dynamic relationships can be visualized by year and longitudinally via an interactive map created in this study.

Curating for Convergence: Data Stewardship for Interdisciplinary Inquiry

Advances in data infrastructure are often led by disciplinary initiatives aimed at innovation in federation and sharing of data and related research materials. In library and information science (LIS), the data services area has focused on data curation and stewardship to support description and deposit of data for access, reuse, and preservation. At the same time, solutions to societal grand challenges are thought to lie in convergence research, characterized by a problem-focused orientation and deep cross-disciplinary integration, requiring access to highly varied data sources with differing resolutions or scales. We argue that data curation and stewardship work in LIS should expand to foster convergence research based on a robust understanding of the dynamics of disciplinary and interdisciplinary research methods and practices. Highlighting unique contributions by Dr. Linda C. Smith to the field of LIS, we outline how her work illuminates problems that are core to current directions in convergence research. Drawing on advances in data infrastructure in the earth and geosciences and trends in qualitative domains, we emphasize the importance of metastructures and the necessary influence of disciplinary practice on principles, standards, and provisions for ethical use across the evolving data ecosystem.

Components of Digital Humanities in Indian LIS Curricula

Digital Humanities (DH) is an interdisciplinary academic discipline that employs computational techniques to
 address humanities and social science problems. It merges various domains such as history, philosophy, literature,
 and modern languages, offering unique approaches to traditional inquiries. DH has gained considerable popularity among students, academicians, and Library and Information Science (LIS) professionals, creating new employment opportunities in libraries, museums, archives, cultural heritage organisations, data science, and other sectors. In India, DH is still in its early stages, with diverse manifestations in university-level teaching and learning practices. This study examines the DH components integrated into the LIS course curriculum by analysing syllabi and course descriptions from central universities. Additionally, we briefly review DH research projects and programs in India and abroad. To enhance the design and implementation of DH programs and degrees alongside LIS curricula, a course module for DH within LIS schools is proposed. This research extends insights into DH pedagogical practices within librarianship education, offering a comprehensive perspective on contextual frameworks, academic discussions, development trends in DH, and the LIS field in India.

Research collaboration amongst Egyptian library and information science faculty members

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to determine the potential for research collaboration amongst Egyptian library and information science (LIS) faculty members.Design/methodology/approachAn online survey was used, which ran from the beginning of June to the middle of July 2021.FindingsMale respondents made up slightly more than half of the total, with ages ranging from 30s to 40s and the majority holding PhDs. According to all respondents, the most important reasons for collaborating on research authorship were “to gain more experience”, followed by “to gain more knowledge”. More than half of respondents rated the collaborative research as “Good”, with “Very Good” coming in second. Almost all respondents stated the most common types of collaboration amongst the respondents were “a research paper”, “a case study”, “a review” and “a book chapter”. All faculty members stated that challenges such as “The research collaborator does not contribute equally to the same motivation” and “The research collaborator does not do what is expected of him/her to complete the research” were at the very least significant to the respondents.Practical implicationsThe findings of this study have significant implications for higher education research and publishing in Egypt, particularly in terms of encouraging collaborative research amongst Egyptian researchers, particularly in the field of LIS.Originality/valueThis is nearly the first study of the kind in the Arab and Egyptian contexts. This study is described as a pioneer amongst the studies concerned with this topic that were conducted in the field of joint authorship, especially at the local and regional levels, because this study is one of the few studies on partnership and research cooperation amongst Egyptian faculty members in the field of LIS.