Research degrees in librarianship and information science

Abstract

This paper reports the results of a survey of the students from the Department of Information Studies, University of Sheffield who successfully completed research degrees (MA, MSc, MPhil or PhD) in librarianship or information science in the period 1968-96. An open-ended questionnaire was distributed to the 123 former students for whom a contact address was available, and usable responses were received from 66 students, giving a response rate of 54%. The questionnaire sought to identify publications derived directly and indirectly from the research programme, and the students’ views of the benefits and drawbacks that accrue from having carried out their research programme. A total of 393 publications were identified as arising directly from the research degrees, with these attracting at least 1593 citations, thus demonstrating the impact of research-degree work on the profession. Students predominantly take up employment in the academic sector, and find their research training invaluable in their subsequent career. The great majority (71%) of the respondents would recommend such training to others; the main problem identified is the lack of a long-term career structure for those wishing to enter the UK higher education system.