The practitioner’s experience and conception of evidence based library and information practice: an exploratory analysis

The practitioner’s experience and conception of evidence based library and information practice: an exploratory analysis

This paper presents a study that explores the way in which library and information science (LIS) practitioner’s experience and conceive evidence based library and information practice (EBLIP). Design: Semi-structured interviews were used for data collection. The interviews were designed and conducted using the phenomenographic approach. Phenomenography is an interpretive research approach that looks at the different ways people experience or conceive a range of phenomenon. The intent of phenomenographic research is to understand variation in the collective experience of a group or community in regards a particular phenomenon. Six participants took part in a 30-60 minute audio recorded interview. The goal of each interview was to understand the variation in each participant’s experience of EBLIP. Findings: The results suggest that LIS professionals have four different ways of experiencing evidence based practice. The four different ways or categories are (i) EBLIP is not relevant; (ii) EBLIP is learning from experience; (ii) EBLIP is service improvement; and (iv) EBLIP is all consuming. It should be noted that this framework is fluid and will evolve as the research project continues. Value: The study is significant because it provides the first model or rich description of EBLIP as understood by the library and information practitioner. This model can assist library educators, associations and others involved in supporting and preparing current and future evidence based professionals, so that an evidence based culture can be firmly established within the profession.