Research
Wayne State University, Michigan's only urban research university, is among the nation's prestigious 3.6 percent of universities with Carnegie classification of RU/VH (Research Universities, Very High research activity). In Fiscal Year 2006, The University received $149,158,745 in research support from federal agencies. Wayne's 1,676 faculty members make a major contribution to research in engineering; science and medicine; arts and humanities; and social sciences. From 1997 to 2006, WSU faculty members were authors and co-authors of 21,000 journal articles. Survey results in The Scientist magazine placed Wayne among the 15 best research institutions at which to work in academia.
Listed below are selected LIS Program faculty's recent research activities.
Books, Libraries, Reading & Publishing in the Cold War
Hermina G. Anghelescu
Co-edited two volumes published by the Library of Congress, Center for the Book: Books, Libraries, Reading & Publishing in the Cold War (2001)
Historical Essays Honoring Donald G. Davis, Jr.
Hermina G. Anghelescu
Co-edited Libraries & Culture: Historical Essays Honoring the Legacy of Donald G. Davis, Jr. (2006)
Qu’est-que la documentation?/What Is Documentation? Translation
Hermina G. Anghelescu
Co-translated Suzanne’s Briet classical text Qu’est-que la documentation?/What Is Documentation? from French into English (2006)
Children’s Questions About Science Fair: An Analysis of Digital Library Reference Questions
Marcia Mardis, Ed.D.
Between 2003 and 2006, the Internet Public Library (IPL) digital library, then housed at the University of Michigan's School of Information, received science questions at a rapid pace that required a substantial amount of attention from the IPL reference staff. In an effort to streamline the answering of these questions and strategically shape the science collection, in 2005 and 2006, the researcher undertook an analysis of the science questions. Preliminary results suggest that a close examination of the questions has great potential to inform collection, description, and service in digital library environments. Prior research in children's questions has determined popular subjects of the science questions, but has not focused on patterns and consistencies in the questions. This study is unique in that it goes beyond overall characterizations of questions and questioners to examine the question content in an effort to devise taxonomic and descriptive schema that will inform collection and support service, particularly in a digital library context. The results to-date suggest that science assignments should reflect the extent to which students have been introduced to approaches for thinking about science like the scientific method, inquiry-based learning, or research models. There is a great need for developmentally appropriate resources that support for the process of science learning, especially for science fair. Likewise, digital, public, and school librarians and other information mediators have a tremendous opportunity to improve their services to young questioners by developmental level by increasing their sensitivity to children's science processes and by having these sensitivities codified in metadata schema.
Viewing Michigan’s digital future: A survey of educators
Marcia Mardis, Ed.D.
Digital video is a growing and important presence in student learning. This paper reports on the results of a survey of Michigan educators (N=426) conducted in spring 2008. The survey included questions about educators’ attitudes toward using streaming and downloadable video in their practice. The survey results showed that educators use digital video to introduce and conclude learning experiences. These Michigan educators, who predominantly used unitedstreamingTM digital video, relish the service’s content breadth, short clips, and potential to foster innovation. However, concerns about bandwidth, project capabilities, and end-user control over on-demand download and manipulation existed. Technology policies, not personnel, were viewed as causing these difficulties. Because very little research has been done on the implementation of digital video resources in schools, the conclusion of the need to empower educators with digital video should provide direction for educators, researchers, and policymakers.
An Analysis of IASL Conference Presentations 1997-2008
Marcia Mardis, Ed.D.
The project will classify and analyze the last decade of papers published in IASL conference proceedings based on the approaches and metrics used in the Oberg’s 2006 study. The findings will benefit three major constituents of the IASL conferences. As a result of this study:1. Organizers can enhance the topical distribution of the programme within the conference theme;2. Attendees will benefit from directly relevant presentation types and topics;3. Participants can better target paper topics to high need and high interest areas.
Global Possibilities for Library and Information Science Programs
Joseph Mika
Professor Mika received a research grant from the H.W. Wilson Foundation in 2008 to explore global possibilities of international library and information science programs and potential impact on U.S. library and information science programs.
Library Services to the Arabic Speaking
Joseph Mika
The Arab population in the United States has nearly doubled since the 1980 census, with Michigan and the metropolitan Detroit area leading the nation in growth. With Charlene Al-Qallaf of Kuwait University, the two researchers are ascertaining if public libraries in Michigan with the largest Arabic-speaking populations in residence are providing this population with collections and services targeted to their specific needs.
IMLS Fine and Performing Arts Librarian Project
Joseph Mika
Dr. Mika is Co-Principal investigator for a three-year project, in which Wayne State University and the Library and Information Science Program has established a Detroit-based collaborative with local cultural institutions to provide a broad approach to educating new librarians about fine and performing arts librarianship. This program is designed to prepare students for professional library and information specialist positions in fine and performing arts and related libraries and information centers. Partners include the Detroit Institute of Arts, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Michigan Opera Theater, the MOTOWN Museum, the WSU Libraries, and the WSU Library and Information Science Program.
Hermina G. Anghelescu
Co-edited two volumes published by the Library of Congress, Center for the Book: Books, Libraries, Reading & Publishing in the Cold War (2001)
Historical Essays Honoring Donald G. Davis, Jr.
Hermina G. Anghelescu
Co-edited Libraries & Culture: Historical Essays Honoring the Legacy of Donald G. Davis, Jr. (2006)
Qu’est-que la documentation?/What Is Documentation? Translation
Hermina G. Anghelescu
Co-translated Suzanne’s Briet classical text Qu’est-que la documentation?/What Is Documentation? from French into English (2006)
Children’s Questions About Science Fair: An Analysis of Digital Library Reference Questions
Marcia Mardis, Ed.D.
Between 2003 and 2006, the Internet Public Library (IPL) digital library, then housed at the University of Michigan's School of Information, received science questions at a rapid pace that required a substantial amount of attention from the IPL reference staff. In an effort to streamline the answering of these questions and strategically shape the science collection, in 2005 and 2006, the researcher undertook an analysis of the science questions. Preliminary results suggest that a close examination of the questions has great potential to inform collection, description, and service in digital library environments. Prior research in children's questions has determined popular subjects of the science questions, but has not focused on patterns and consistencies in the questions. This study is unique in that it goes beyond overall characterizations of questions and questioners to examine the question content in an effort to devise taxonomic and descriptive schema that will inform collection and support service, particularly in a digital library context. The results to-date suggest that science assignments should reflect the extent to which students have been introduced to approaches for thinking about science like the scientific method, inquiry-based learning, or research models. There is a great need for developmentally appropriate resources that support for the process of science learning, especially for science fair. Likewise, digital, public, and school librarians and other information mediators have a tremendous opportunity to improve their services to young questioners by developmental level by increasing their sensitivity to children's science processes and by having these sensitivities codified in metadata schema.
Viewing Michigan’s digital future: A survey of educators
Marcia Mardis, Ed.D.
Digital video is a growing and important presence in student learning. This paper reports on the results of a survey of Michigan educators (N=426) conducted in spring 2008. The survey included questions about educators’ attitudes toward using streaming and downloadable video in their practice. The survey results showed that educators use digital video to introduce and conclude learning experiences. These Michigan educators, who predominantly used unitedstreamingTM digital video, relish the service’s content breadth, short clips, and potential to foster innovation. However, concerns about bandwidth, project capabilities, and end-user control over on-demand download and manipulation existed. Technology policies, not personnel, were viewed as causing these difficulties. Because very little research has been done on the implementation of digital video resources in schools, the conclusion of the need to empower educators with digital video should provide direction for educators, researchers, and policymakers.
An Analysis of IASL Conference Presentations 1997-2008
Marcia Mardis, Ed.D.
The project will classify and analyze the last decade of papers published in IASL conference proceedings based on the approaches and metrics used in the Oberg’s 2006 study. The findings will benefit three major constituents of the IASL conferences. As a result of this study:1. Organizers can enhance the topical distribution of the programme within the conference theme;2. Attendees will benefit from directly relevant presentation types and topics;3. Participants can better target paper topics to high need and high interest areas.
Global Possibilities for Library and Information Science Programs
Joseph Mika
Professor Mika received a research grant from the H.W. Wilson Foundation in 2008 to explore global possibilities of international library and information science programs and potential impact on U.S. library and information science programs.
Library Services to the Arabic Speaking
Joseph Mika
The Arab population in the United States has nearly doubled since the 1980 census, with Michigan and the metropolitan Detroit area leading the nation in growth. With Charlene Al-Qallaf of Kuwait University, the two researchers are ascertaining if public libraries in Michigan with the largest Arabic-speaking populations in residence are providing this population with collections and services targeted to their specific needs.
IMLS Fine and Performing Arts Librarian Project
Joseph Mika
Dr. Mika is Co-Principal investigator for a three-year project, in which Wayne State University and the Library and Information Science Program has established a Detroit-based collaborative with local cultural institutions to provide a broad approach to educating new librarians about fine and performing arts librarianship. This program is designed to prepare students for professional library and information specialist positions in fine and performing arts and related libraries and information centers. Partners include the Detroit Institute of Arts, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Michigan Opera Theater, the MOTOWN Museum, the WSU Libraries, and the WSU Library and Information Science Program.