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About the Award
The
Research in the Workplace Award (RIWA) is a biennial grant that seeks
to fund small
library and information professional-led workplace research projects. It aims
to contribute to a research culture within the library and information
community, and assist in developing our evidence base.
Projects can relate to any aspect
of service provision, development or theory, and should be achievable
within a twelve month period. The award can be used to fund equipment,
consumables, buy-out time, purchase technical support etc.
How to
apply?
Details of future awards will be posted on this site as they become
available.
Maria J Grant
Chair of the Research in the Workplace Award
c/o
Salford Centre for Nursing, Midwifery and Collaborative Research
University of Salford,
Allerton
Building, Salford, M6 6PU
Tel: 0161 295
6423
Fax: 0161 295 2241
Email:
Useful Resources
Whilst the application form
outlines the basic structure required when applying for RIWA funds, you may also find it helpful to look at one or more of the
following sources.
Examples of Good Practice
The four previous winners of the
Research in the Workplace Award have kindly agreed to make their
applications available as examples of good practice. They are:
2010/2011:
Call for applications to be made shortly.
2008/2009: No
award made
2006/2007: A
randomized controlled trial to determine the impact of providing a
virtual reference service
(Access Specialist Knowledge – ASK) to the
local Primary Care and Mental Health Trusts. (Rachel
Southon and
Vicki Veness, Royal Surrey County Hospitals NHS Trust
and John Loy, Avon & Wiltshire
Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust)
*** Project Withdrawn ***
2003/2004: A
multi-centre randomised trial comparing the effect of self-directed
online learning using a web-based resource,
with a classroom based
interactive workshop, on the knowledge and search skills of health
professionals. (Nicola Bexon, NeLH Screening Specialist Library and
Lena Nordheim, Norwegian Centre for Health Services.)
2001/2002: A cross boundary managed
information network to match the needs of a managed clinical network
for cancer. (Annette Thain, NHS Education for Scotland.)
1999/2000: A delphi study to determine research priorities and the
corresponding evidence based in North Glasgow hospitals. (Michelle
Kirkwood, North Glasgow University Hospitals NHS Trust.)
Resources
The following
books and journal articles provide general advice on how to develop a research proposal and
manage the project once you receive funding.
NB: These
resources are not available from the RIWA Chair. If you are
interested in referring to any of these resources please request a copy from
your local library and information service.
Booth, A. & Brice, A. (2004) Evidence Based Practice: a Handbook
for Information Professionals, London: Facet Publishing.
Presents a thorough
introduction to the concept of evidence based library and information
practice. It is divided into three parts: The Context for
Evidence-based Information Practice; Skills and Resources for
Evidence-based Information Practice; and Using the Evidence Base in
Practice.
Eldredge, J.D. (2004) Inventory of research methods for librarianship
and informatics, Journal of the Medical Library Association, 92
(1):83-90.
Presents a
definition and description of different research designs including, in
some instances, a resource guide on using the specific methods, and a
reference to an example of the methodology being used in practice.
Gorman, G. E. & Clayton, P. (1997) Qualitative research for the
information professional: a practical handbook, London: Library
Association Publishing.
“Unashamedly in the ‘how-to-do-it’ mould” this book has been
purposefully written with library and information professionals in
mind. It uses information specific research scenarios to illustrate
the application of data collection techniques (observation,
interviewing, group discussion and historical study), and provides
advise on data analysis and writing for publication. Consideration is
also given to ethical issues such as obtaining consent and assuring
confidentiality.
Moore, N.
(2000) How to do Research: the Complete Guide to Designing and
Managing Research Projects, London: Library Association Publishing. 3rd
edition.
Presented in two sections. The
first section covers the research process e.g. developing objectives,
designing the study, writing the proposal, managing the project etc.,
whilst section two considers types of research method e.g. qualitative
and quantitative data collection and analysis and desk based research.
Vaughan, L. (2001) Statistical Methods for the Information
Professional: a Practical, Painless Approach to Understanding, Using,
and Interpreting Statistics, New Jersey: American Society for
Information Science and Technology.
With an emphasis on the practical application of statistics rather
than technical detail, this book introduces basic principles of using
statistics including formulating a hypothesis, analysing data (using
computer software), interpreting output and reaching conclusions. It
uses information science research scenarios to demonstrate the
complete process of each statistical test covered, which include:
descriptive statistics, t-tests, chi-square tests, analysis of
variance (ANOVA), correlation, regression and basic non-parametric
tests. Aims to cater for the complete novice, as well as for those
wishing to refresh their knowledge.
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