Elsevier/LIRG Research Award
The Elsevier/LIRG Research Award is intended to encourage research and innovation in library and information science.
LIRG is pleased to announce the winner of the 2005/6 award:
David McMenemy. Strathclyde University
Open gateway or guarded fortress: variances in public library internet access in UK publiclibraries. David is pictured below at the LIRG AGM on July 18 2006 being presented with the Award by Tony Roche from Elsevier.
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.
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).
Previous winners of the Award have included:
Melanie Goody of KPMG and Hazel Hall of Napier University for a study on 'The sense of outsourcing: an investigation into the viability of outsourcing corporate information services'.
Sarah McNicol of evidence base , UCE Birmingham for her study 'Investigating the provision of careers information in schools
Lyndon Pugh for a study on 'The organisational design and development of hybrid libraries
Judith Keene, University College Worcester for a study 'From abstract to relevant: widening access to periodicals'
John Cullen of Institute of Technology, Tallaght, for a study on the Irish Market for Library and Information Management Work.
Elizabeth Gadd of Loughborough University for a study on copyright clearance issues relating to Higher Education Libraries
The next closing date for applications is to be announced.
Applications and enquiries should be sent (preferably by email) to:
Dr Jean Yeoh
LIRG Awards and Prizes Officer
Information Services & Systems
King’s College London
Strand
London WC2R 2LS
jean.yeoh@kcl.ac.uk
Tel: 020 7848 1844
Evaluation Criteria
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 significant 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?
Proposed dissemination
Are the dissemination methods clearly stated?
Are they appropriate?
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?
Eligibility
Application received by closing date?
Is the Award the principal source of funding for the research?
Updated: 20 July 2006