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Critical interpretive synthesis for informing collection decisions

Stephen Bales (Libraries, Texas A&M University Libraries, College Station, Texas, USA)
Charlie Gee (Journalism and Multimedia Arts, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA)

Collection Building

ISSN: 0160-4953

Article publication date: 1 January 2013

968

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to report on the use of the critical interpretive synthesis (CIS) method as a potential tool for aiding library selection decisions.

Design/methodology/approach

CIS was used to model research trends in the intersection of journalism and popular culture using presentation titles collected from five years of Popular Culture Association/American Culture Association Conference programs (2007‐2011).

Findings

CIS was determined to be effective for focusing a subject selector's current awareness activities.

Research limitations/implications

Considering the limited information provided in the PCA/ACA programs, the researchers were required to analyze the intent of many of the presentations from their titles and the titles of the sessions where they were given.

Originality/value

CIS is a flexible means of systematically producing explanatory theories directly from the data that, while new to library and information science, is useful for modeling cutting‐edge research for current awareness activities.

Keywords

Citation

Bales, S. and Gee, C. (2013), "Critical interpretive synthesis for informing collection decisions", Collection Building, Vol. 32 No. 2, pp. 51-56. https://doi.org/10.1108/01604951311322020

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2013, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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