Optimising research efficacy: Research literacy and information practices of novice and expert researchers

About the Project

Expertise is considered advantageous for effective task completion and is associated with length of experience in a domain (Hambrick et al., 2018). In academic settings there are researchers with numerous levels of expertise completing similar tasks, such as literature reviews or presentations. It is expected that those of a higher expertise level, such as professors, will be more effective and efficient at these tasks than those of lower expertise, such as undergraduate honours students. However, there is little exploration comparing the research literacy and information practices of the different expertise levels. Therefore it is difficult to determine optimal practices, or what researchers of all levels need from information retrieval and library resources. The information landscape in academic environments is changing with the evolution of transformative technologies, and further knowledge of research literacy at all levels of expertise will help build resilience and adaptability of academic research in the face of these.

Proposals will ideally incorporate aspects of participant self-efficacy (Pajares, 1996) and its relationship with their information practices. These aspects can be explored in a variety of ways but proposals should be anchored in the domain of Information Science with a focus on human information behaviour, information seeking and use, and/or social informatics.

Academic qualifications

Have, or expect to achieve by the time of start of the studentship a first-class honours degree, or a distinction at master level, ideally in in Library and information science or similar, Media and communications, Informatics or equivalent with a good fundamental knowledge of Information Behaviours/Practices, Information Literacy, Information Retrieval.

English language requirement

IELTS score must be at least 6.5 (with not less than 6.0 in each of the four components). Other, equivalent qualifications will be accepted. Full details of the University’s policy are available online.

Essential attributes:

• Experience with fundamental principles of social science or information sciences
• Competent in qualitative or quantitative research methods and data analysis
• Good written and oral communication skills
• Strong motivation, with evidence of independent research skills relevant to the project
• Good time management
• Only a first-class honours degree, or a distinction at master level in a subject relevant to the PhD project will be considered, or equivalent achievements.

Desirable attributes:

• Intellectual curiosity with a willingness to consider new and different perspectives
• Interest in or knowledge of information behaviour/practices, information literacy, or information retrieval
• Practical experience in research or industry will be considered an advantage.

APPLICATION CHECKLIST

• Completed application form
• CV
• 2 academic references, using the Postgraduate Educational Reference Form (download)
• Research project outline of 2 pages (list of references excluded). The outline may provide details about:
  1. Background and motivation of the project. The motivation, explaining the importance of the project, should be supported also by relevant literature. You can also discuss the applications you expect for the project results.
  2. Research questions or objectives.
  3. Methodology: types of data to be used, approach to data collection, and data analysis methods.
  4. List of references.
• The outline must be created solely by the applicant. Supervisors can only offer general discussions about the project idea without providing any additional support.
• Statement no longer than 1 page describing your motivations and fit with the project.
• Evidence of proficiency in English (if appropriate)

To be considered, the application must use

• the advertised title as project title

For informal enquiries about this PhD project, please contact Dr Rachel Salzano email R.Salzano@napier.ac.uk