Designing and Evaluation of Research in Library Science/R.L. Sehgal. New Delhi, Ess Ess Pub., 1998, 2 Vols., xvi, 724 p., tables, figs., (set). ISBN Vol. I: 81-7000-228-1; Vol. II: 81-7000-229-X.

    Contents: Vol. I: Preface. I. Introduction to Library Science Research: 1. The nature of Library Science Research. II. The basics of Library Science Research: 2. The research problem in library science. 3. Ethics and research in library science. 4. Variables, hypotheses and library science. 5. Reviewing the literature in library science. 6. Sampling and library science. 7. Instrumentation and the library science. 8. Instrument validity and reliability in library science. 9. Descriptive statistics and library science. 10. Inferential statistics and library science. 

    Vol. II: Preface. I. The basics of Library Science Research: 1. Library statistics in perspective. 2. Internal validity and library science. II. Research methodologies in library science: 3. Experimental research and library science. 4. Correlational research and library science. 5. Causal-comparative research and library science. 6. Survey research and library science. 7. Qualitative research and library science. 8. Historical research and library science. III. Preparing Library Science Research proposals and reports: 9. Writing research proposals and reports. IV. Research by library practitioners: 10. Doing research in library science. Appendices. 

    "Designing and Evaluation of Research in Library Science is directed to all the students starting first course in Library Science Research. Because this field continues to grow so rapidly with regard to knowledge it contains and the methodologies it employs, the authors of the any introductory text is forced to carefully define their goals as a first step in deciding what to include in their book. In author's case, he continually kept three main goals in mind. He wanted to produce a text for the student of Library Science Research that would : (a) Provide student with the basic information needed to understand the Library Science Research process, from idea formulation through data analysis and interpretation ; (b) Enable students to use this knowledge to design their own Library Science Research investigation on a topic of their personal interest in Library Science ; (c) Permit students to read and understand the literature of Library Science Research. 

    Part first deals with the nature of Library Science Research, briefly overviews each of the six methodologies discussed later in the text, and presents an overview of Library Science Research Process. 

    Part second introduces the basic concepts and procedures that must be understood before one can engage in the research intelligently. This part includes an understanding of variables, definitions, validity, reliability, sampling, instrumentation, data collection and analysis. These and other concepts are covered thoroughly, clearly and relatively simple. The emphasis throughout is to show students, by means of clear and appropriate examples, how to set up a Library Science Research Study in a library setting on a question of interest and importance. 

    Part third explains and illustrates the methodologies commonly used in Library Science Research. Many key concepts presented in part two are considered again in these chapters, in order to illustrate their applications to each methodology.

    Part four deals with how to prepare a research proposal report that is built on the concepts and examples developed and illustrated in previous chapters. 

    Part fifth deals with examples of how research can be done by practitioners." (jacket) 

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