Conducting international research in the library and information science field: challenges and approaches

Abstract

International comparative research in the library and information science (LIS) field examines the processes and phenomena related to libraries and other information organizations and their users. with a focus on differences and similarities across countries or cultures. International research is challenging due to language barriers, ethical concerns, and the legacy of the colonial research model. This paper presents an international research project undertaken by members of the International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA) Library Theory and Research (LTR) Section which investigated the approaches to teaching research methods in LIS programs worldwide. The paper focuses on the project’s research design, on the research ethical issues and on the collection of multilingual data. It discusses the inherent challenges in conducting international research and outlines the approach to increasing the geographic and linguistic diversity of study respondents. The LTR research team adopted several strategies to recruit participants from multiple countries and collect data in three languages. The recruitment announcements were distributed throughout international and regional mailing lists in multiple languages. The survey instrument was translated from English to Spanish and French, and the interviews were conducted in English and Spanish. The authors also discuss the methodological advantages of mixed-methods design and the benefits and limitations of using surveys and interviews in international research.