Research Proposal

This research proposal on the effects of LGBTQ+ trainings for library staff was completed for LIS 60050: Research and Assessment in Library and Information Science. It relates to PLO Two: Critique and synthesize research and identify appropriate research methodologies to solve problems in the field. Through the process of literature review, I was able to identify the information needs of and problems faced by LGBTQ+ library patrons and find that the most commonly suggested solution to these issues were LGBTQ+ trainings for library staff, though there is little research, if any, on the effectiveness of such trainings. To solve these problems, I created a research proposal, for a research project intended to be completed in fifteen weeks, that utilized such qualitative research methods as individual, semi-structured interviews, focus group interviews, and thematic analysis. This project connects to the ALA’s 7th Core Competency of Librarianship, which states, “Library professionals need to be able to discover, interpret, and generate research in relation to efforts that support their institutions, the profession, and/or their own professional development. Library professionals should be able to demonstrate a range of data, evidence, and research skills that include, but are not limited to, the application of research design and methods, and an understanding of methods of data analysis and application of research tools.” This project also relates to the ACRL's Roles & Strengths for Teaching Librarians, which recommends "expertise in research skills" and "knowledge of scholarly communication models and processes."