LIRG is pleased to announce the call for the 2009 award. The deadline for submissions is 28th February 2009.
The purpose of the Award is to encourage research and innovation in library and information science. Particular attention will be paid to proposals intended to improve the accessibility, retrievability and usefulness of information. The maximum value of the Award is £1000.
The Award may be used to defray research expenses (e.g. travel, postage costs) to fund attendance at high level meetings or to fund a study tour. However, a clear overall aim for the research must be stated. Visits for general professional development will not be considered. For the evaluation criteria to be used, please see below. For a guide on writing research proposals, please see 'Writing a research proposal' by Juliet Eve in our journal Library and Information Research.
There is no application form, and proposals may be made in any suitable form. As guidance, it is suggested that the following should be included:
* A description of the proposed research, including a title, the objective(s), the methodology, the expected timescale, and any other related work (by the proposer or others)
* A financial projection, including all anticipated expenditure, which will be used as the basis on which any award if assessed. Where it is proposed to use funding from other sources to supplement the Award this should be clearly stated. Proposers should note that Elsevier/LIRG Award should be the principal source of funding for the research.
* Curriculum vitae of proposer
Prizewinners will be required to present an interim account of the research to the Annual General Meeting of the Library and Information Research Group. In addition, a final report on the research will be required in the form of a paper suitable for publication in Library and Information Research (LIR).
Winners of the award are required to present their findings at a LIRG AGM, and to submit a paper detailing their findings, to our online journal Library and Information Research (LIR).
Previous winners have included:
Laura Muir, Robert Gordon University Department of Information Management and Anne Nichol, Robert Gordon University, Georgina Scott Sutherland Library for their study, An evaluation of academic E-book accessibility in a diverse student population.
Jacqueline Chen of the University of the West of England, "E-book usage" (joint winner 2007)
Laura Jeffrey of Durham University, "Pre-evaluating the needs of users: investigating the use of school libraries to inform university library induction" (joint winner 2007)
David McMenemy of Strathclyde University, "Open gateway or guarded fortress: variances in public library internet access in UK public libraries".
Aim
The aim of the award is to promote research in LIS that is focused on ensuring research evidence is used to inform and improve practice. Thus submissions are likely to be successful if they deal with relevant and timely issues.
Who is eligible?
LIRG welcomes proposals from all sectors of the profession, and particularly invites practitioners to apply, either as sole applicants, or in collaboration with academic or independent researchers.
Applications from academics in library and information science departments are also welcomed and proposals which are submitted in partnership with practitioners are particularly welcome.
Applicants should be residents of the UK or Ireland.
NB Current students are not eligible to apply for the award to cover the costs of course fees or the completion of their dissertations.
Evaluation criteria and judging
The proposals will be judged according to a range of evaluation criteria by two members of the LIRG committee. Where a unanimous decision is not reached, a third opinion will be sought.
LIRG Research Award: evaluation criteria and proposal guidance
All proposals will be considered by two judges, according to the list of criteria below:
Value and relevance of the study:
What is the value and relevance of this study?
Is the research timely and relevant?
Are the proposed outcomes clearly stated in the proposal?
Will the proposed outcomes make a contribution to the information
profession?
Does the study represent good value for money?
Originality:
Does the study demonstrate originality and innovation?
Methodology:
Is the topic of study clearly explained?
Is it explained how the study links with previous research/innovation?
How appropriate is the methodology?
How viable is the methodology? How robust is the methodology?
Is the methodology replicable? Is it transferable?
Is the topic of study clearly explained?
Proposed dissemination:
Are the dissemination methods clearly stated?
Are they appropriate?
Note that dissemination must include an oral presentation to the LIRG AGM, and that winners are also asked to submit an article to LIRG's journal, LIR.
Budget:
Is the budget well presented and the costing clear?
Are the costings realistic?
How will additional costs be met if they exceed the amount of the Award?
Applicant(s):
Have the applicants demonstrated that they have the required competency to undertake the study?
Do the applicant(s) demonstrate enthusiasm/interest in the topic?
Evidence of partnership*:
Is the application a joint proposal?
Does the proposal bring together practitioners and academics?
Eligibility:
Application received by closing date?
Is the Award the principal source of funding for the research?
*NB LIRG welcomes practitioners from all sectors of the profession to apply. Proposals may be from joint or solo applicants. Proposals which are partnerships between practitioners and academic or independent researchers are also encouraged.
Guidelines for submitting proposals:
There is no application form for the Award, but proposals should follow the format and guidelines below.
In addition to the proposal, entrants should include a full CV.
Proposals should consist of the following sections:
1. Title of the research.
2. Name(s) of applicant(s), organisational affiliation, and, if applicable, nature of collaboration, indicating strengths of each partner.
3. Brief context/introduction: this section should draw on previous literature/research to set the context for the current project, and also to indicate an awareness of relevant issues and themes.
4. Coherent aims and objectives: a clear statement should be given of the aim of the proposed research, and specific objectives.
5. Methods: this section should provide a description of the proposed methods, and an indication of their suitability in meeting the aims and objectives.
6. Where applicable, any proposed outcomes should be identified.
7. Expected timescale.
8. A financial projection, including all anticipated expenditure. Where it is proposed to use funding from other sources to supplement the Award this should be clearly stated. Proposers should note that LIRG Award should be the principal source of funding for the research.
9. Dissemination: in addition to the presentation at the LIRG AGM, an article to be submitted to LIRGÃÂâÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂs journal, LIR. Additional methods of dissemination may also be suggested.
Notes:
1. The Award is designed to support research, so will not be given to fund existing projects or service developments, or to pay student course fees.
2. LIRG may request the return of the award money in cases where the winner fails to meet the required outcomes of oral and print presentation to the AGM and the journal LIR.
The next closing date for applications is: 29th February 2008
Applications and enquiries should be sent, preferably by email, to:
Frankie Wilson
Awards and Prizes Officer
Learning Resources (Arts and Education)
Middlesex University
f.wilson@mdx.ac.uk
Tel: 5798 (CH) 6410 (TP)